ET AMORA ¢ . ORCS OF RSF Nia ToSBEAI OLN EFMENS 3 RALR feat ye a OOS; PA STON 2) Sew ae (© me OO fea A See ON eC) (ECE ANS CUCM Vans a TS Jaa 10 RE K SE SERIAL AS EER Be BJS es 3 (OR Sey RGN Rite UE VL LASS DTA ee Pp PUBLISHED WEEKLY (EEE Se TRADESMAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS Ss BABE SES NG z SSK RISO Re . . SECC NOR SO oN a RESNS ees 3 AN NS } AY ; , Pe CODELY ZAR GEG Thirty-Sixth Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1919 Number 1843 nina ICIKICI KSI IAEA OOOO UO UOO ULL UO LULL. EPA ERR EP PE too II tot tiki AMM PARRA IAA AAAI AAAI AIA IIAIAAAIAAAAAAIASAAIAAS AAAS AAIAADASAASIAISAASASAIAASSSIASASAASAI ASIA PIIIAIAKAAIAAAAAADAAAAKAAAAAAA SI LEONA Leona, the hour draws nigh— The hour we've waited so long— For the Angel to open a door through the sky, That my spirit may break from its prison, and try By the light of this faith am I taught That my labor is only begun; In the strength of this hope have I struggled and fought With the legions of Wrong, till my armor has caught Its voice in an infinite song. The gleam of Eternity’s Sun. Just now, as the slumbers of night, Leona, look forth and behold, From headland, and hillside and deep, The Day-King surrenders his banners of gold, The twilight advances through woodland and wold, And the dews are beginning to weep. Came o’er me, with peace giving breath, The curtain, half lifted-revealed to my sight Those windows which look on the Kingdom of Light That borders the River of Death. And a vision fell, solemn and sweet, The Moon’s silver. hair lies unfurled Bringing gleams of a morning-lit land; I saw the white shores which the pale waters beat, And I heard the low lull, as they broke at their feet Who walked on the beautiful strand. Down the broad-breasted mountains away, Ere sunset’s red glories again shall be furled On the fields of the West, o’er the plains of the world, I shall rise in a limitless day. And I wondered why-spirits should cling To their clay with a struggle and sigh, When Life’s purple Autumn is better than Spring, And the soul flies away like a sparrow to sing In a climate where leaves never die. O! come not in tears to my tomb, Nor plant with frail flowers the sod; There is rest among roses too sweet for its gloom, And life where the lilies eternally bloom, ~ In the Balm-breathing gardens of God. Leona, come close to my bed, And lay your dear hand on my brow; The same touch that thrilled me in days that are fled, And raised the lost roses of Youth from the dead, Can brighten the brief moments now. Yet deeply these memories burn Which binds me to you and to Earth; And I sometimes have thought that my being would yearn, In the bowers of its beautiful home, to return, And visit the home of its birth. We have loved from the cold world apart, And your trust was too generous and true ° For their hate to o’erthrow; when the slanderer’s dart Was rankling deep in my desolate heart, I was dearer than ever to you. ’Twould even be pleasant to stay,. And walk by your side to the last; But the land-breeze of Heaven is beginning to play— Life’s shadows are meeting Eternity’s day, And its tumult is issued in the past. I thank the Great Father for this, That our love is not lavished in vain; Each germ, in the future, will blossom to bliss, And the form that we love, and the lips that we kiss Never shrink at the shadow of pain. Leona, good bye; should the grief That is gathering now ever be Too dark for your faith, you will long for relief And remember, the jqurney, though lonesome, is brief, Over lowland and river to me. JAMES G. CLARK. STS elaine btm FREE to Merchants Write for Your Copy today Be Ready for Big Seed Business Most everyone will plant a “Victory Garden” this year and the demand for seed will be greater even than it was during the war. Good fresh stocks of reliable, well-known brands will earn big profits for many live merchants. You can fill every demand for quality seeds with © Better, Quicker Service — Bigger Profits Isbell’s Red List enables you to fill orders quickly whether you stock all sorts or not. Quotes low wholesale prices on seeds direct from grow- er to you. Use it for first orders and for quick fill in. It’s a Seed Service you and your customers will like. Write us today for Red List and further particulars. S. M. Isbell & Co. 1170 Mechanic St. Jackson, Michigan What We Might Do What We Don’t Do What We Do Do SS == AND WHYS We might make matches out of cheaper wood - - But We Don’t. We might save money by using cheaper chemicals - But We Haven’t. i ientifi tment and We might shut down our scientific department an et But We Won’t. trying to make the BEST match ever made BETTER ~~ - BECAUSE 40 years of pre-eminence as the leading match makers t We'ss Bathe 8 the world is something to live up to, so - - - Te eee itch sci duce i t d f The safest match science can produce is none too goo nt That’s What We Make. the greatest nation on Earth, and so - - - - There’s no such thing as standing still if one is determined } to march at the head of the procession nowadays, so - 4 We’re On The Move. Any American grocer who is progressive enough to place duty and responsi- bility above @ mere fraction of a cent in price, in giving his customers the best and the safest and the greatest value for the money will pin his destinies to DIAMOND MATCHES Yearly Invoice Record The contract you enter into when. you purchase fire insurance requires you to retain all invoices or keep a record of all purchases dur- ing the current year. Merchants who have small safes sometimes find it inconvenient to preserve all invoices intact. To meet this requirement, we have devised an Invoice Record which enables the merchant to record his purchases, as set forth in his invoices, so as to have a com- plete record in compact form for‘use in effecting a settlement in the event of a loss by fire. This Record is invaluable to the merchant, because it enables him to ascertain in a moment what he paid for and where he purchased any article in stock. Price $2. Tradesman Company Grand Rapids The Tin Foil Cake of Fleischmann’s Yeast which physicians everywhere are pre- scribing for Constipation, Furunculosis, Acne and other diseases. is A Uy Kp, SCSWUT Ker ATT eS RUT eE ees ea A errr rt TTI i iy Send for our book ** The Healing Power of Compressed Yeast.” It will interest you. THE FLEISCHMANN COMPANY CINCINNATI SAN FRANCISCO NEW YORK SEATTLE DEAL 1814 MORE PROFIT SNOW BOY WASHING POWDER 24s—Family Size through the jobber—to Retail Grocers 25 boxes (@) $4.85__5 boxes FREE, Net $4.04 10 boxes @ 4.902 boxes FREE, Net 4.08 5 boxes @ 4.95—1 box 2\;boxes @ 5.00% box FREE, Net 4.12 FREE, Net 4.17 F. O. B. Buffalo; Freight prepaid to your R. R. Station in lots of not less than 5 boxes. All orders at above prices must be for immediate delivery. 4 This inducement is for NEW ORDERS ONLY—subject to withdrawal! without notice. Yours very truly, Lautz Bros. & Co., Buffalo, NY. ESA SI EAE EINE Ny, po i } | + pment are ag Lg ge Cann NO aN NEN EE OR RRR a dO aE Thirty-Sixth Year GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1919 Number 1843 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN (Onlike any other paper.) Each Issue Complete In Itself. DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF BUSINESS MEN. Published Weekly by TRADESMAN COMPANY Grand Rapids BH. A. STOWD, Editor Subscription Price. Two dollars per year, if paid strictly in advance. Three dollars per year, if not paid in advance. Canadian subscriptions, $3.04 per year, payable invariably in advance. Sample copies 5 cents each. Extra copies of current issues, 5 cents; issues a month or more old, 10 cents; issues a year or more old, 25 cents; issues five years or more old. $1. Entered at the Postoffice of Grand Rapids under Act of March 3, 1879. HAROLD WILLIAM SEARS. Harold Sears, Manager of the Grand Rapids Dry Goods Co., whose untimely death is chronicled else- where in this week's paper, achieved signal success as an organizer, sales- man and executive. The © spirit of progress and activity exhibited by his organization was but a reflection of his own personality and the love which his associates and employes held for him. His geniality and good nature were outer coverings for the true wealth of real manly qualities which all who knew him loved him for. His family life was ideal and part of the real man. The city has less dynamic because this man is no longer a part of its life. It is needless to say that such a man can ill be spared. The jobbing trade of Grand Rapids bene- fited from the exertion of the talents that were his and the institution he directed derived increasing prestige and prosperity as his policies came to fuller fruition. Because he was gifted with comprehensive vision to a superlative degree, because he knew how things should be done and had the capacity to get them done to the satisfaction of all—that was Harold force Sears. Grand Rapids as a commun- ity can not realize he is gone. It will be months before it is fully con- scious of the fact that his counsel will no longer be available. CANNED GOODS SITUATION. The canned goods situation has de- veloped some features of interest during the week, although nothing much in the way of volume of busi- ness. There has been a little more interest shown by jobbers, possibly in response to replenishing orders that are coming from retailers. While the undertone has been fairly strong some uncertainty has developed in relation to one or two items, notably tomatoes and Southern corn. There is no evidence that tomato canners, however, are prepared to make great sacrifices in order to dispose of their holdings and most of them are asking prices that are above parity with what similar goods can be obtained for on the market here. California tomatoes are being offered more freely, but are not finding ready buyers. As to Southern corn, prices are lower than they were earlier in the season, but some of the very cheap offers on the market are declared to be lacking in quality. This is known to be the case in regard to several lots and anything below, say $1.50, for Mary- style is regarded with export situation is showing more activity. There have been purchases of salmon in fair- sized lots as these have been released by the Government. Also lots that have been offered on resale where buyers have over-bought have been coming into the market in a moder- ate way. Sales of tuna have also been reported on the Coast which is rather land-Maine suspicion. The surprising as all of this was supposed to have been cleared up long ago. AS TO WOOL AND WOOLENS. Perhaps the most important hap- pening with regard to wool last week was the removal of the bar to im- ports of the article by private par- ties. For some time past the Govern- ment took all wool as it came in and had its own buyers in South America. again available to the trade, it is difficult to see how prices can be maintained at fixed and artificial levels here, as the Government has been trying to do in the auction sales which it has been holding. It looks as though all the Government-owned wool would have to come down to world market prices quickly, although prices may advance somewhat because of the activity of American buyers in South America and South Africa. The action taken in regard to wool is also likely to spur up the woolen manu- With foreign wool such facturers in making their offerings for the next heavy-weight season, which will inevitably have to be on lower price levels than have been the vogue recently. The mills will reed all the business they can get in order to keep running in an ef- ficient and economical manner, and wll doubtless try and secure a fair measure of export trade to help out with their surplus production. What the volume of exports is to be will depend on the ability of the domestic mills to meet the competition of those in Great Britain, not only as to prices, but also as to quality. It is a great opportunity to dispose of staples which are made here com- paratively cheap under the system of auality production. backed by Frankness makes selling simple. knowledge STRONG NOTE OF OPTIMISM. Merchants forecasting trade for the next few disturbing facts, and until they are modified or offset unsettled and hesitating conditions are predicted. These f include the following: months confront. several tacts 3uyers expect lower prices and will not operate freely until they are very sure that lower prices are not com- ing; jobbers and carrying stocks of merchandise expect to pay unusually heavy taxes out of surplus earnings that will be required in tak- ing care of shrinking values in many others departments; requests for bank capi- tal required in business are certain to be very closely scrutinized, not so much through lack of collateral or questions of credit as to the expected Government for banking assistance in the reconstruc- tion pe~od; doubts of sumpticn large calls by the normal con- being safe to rely upon while prices are high and thrift ser- mons are preached in all quarters. Other disturbing facts are that pro- duction is slackening, labor demands for short hours are pressing, demobili- zation and returning wounded are not stimulating factors for the im- mediate international questions fundamental changes in the country’s policies are until future, and involving under discussion and will be peace is signed at least. There is a deep seated optimism noted among the leading bankers and merchants in the trade, and upon this is predicated the belief that the many difficulties in the situation will be overcome, just as surely as seem- ingly greater troubles were overcome in the years. that have just closed. First hands stocks are comparatively small; Government surplus stocks are believed to be under control so that they will not be dumped on _ the here; retail trade has been good; agriculture, mining and transportation by land and sea promise well, and dimensions are very general. markets recent In so far as a financial measure of things may be applied in the world at this time, this country is relatively better off in the textile field than any Mills have lessened their indebtedness very other country in the world. generally and are not going to be crippled in securing any capital they require in the near future for under- taking new lines of work or resum- ing old lines. Given proper mercan- tile direction, the textile producers should be able to handle almost any sort of a proposition profitably from this time forward. More than at any time in many years merchants are called upon now to exercise wise di- rection and give positive encourage- ment to that sort of production, that will meet consumers’ needs rather than their style fancies. The pre-war mass distribution of textiles in this country was not be- gotten out of production at high cost but at low cost. The jobbers, the great ready-to-wear tndustries, the convenience store retailers, all de- pend for steady trade in normal times upon good merchandise priced at a moderate degree of profit. The rapidly prices, tolerated so patiently in war active movement at rising borne with in a If clothes reasonably cheap and food times, will not be like spirit in peace times. are not continues abnormally high, economy in domestic consumption will cut down the dry goods business in a very sensible way. This is the view that is expressed in the conservative cir- cles of the trade, and on it is based the prediction that the greater bulk of business for the next few months will be dene on a very close margin of profit compared with what has been the rule of late years. War time co-operation in the trade has assumed at different times a co- operation designed to stifle competi- tion and to insure large _ profits. There will be a peace time co-oper- ation, but it will be in the direction of giving the merchant freer play and a better opportunity for the exercise of his trading skill. individual The degree of freedom that bold merchants secure for themselves and their clients in re- peace times will measure the success of business in the next few months. UI- timately there is likely to be a ready market for all the textiles this coun- try can produce, but in planning for great things in foreign markets sight should not be lost of the necessity for securing a full and cheap distri- bution of needed goods in the home \s stated, there is a great optimism expressed, and _ it and strong storing the trade outlets of markets. deal of remains for the trade to translate it into reality, 2 The Tradesman suggests that ev- ery country merchant read the Realm of the Retailer this week and note what is said therein regarding fire in- surance rider No. 35. It will then be in order for him to carefully scan his fire insurance policies and ascer- tain if any of them bear this ob- noxious document. If they do, the sooner it is replaced with a rider that is honest in word and intent and which does not invalidate his insur- ance, the better it will be for him. See Efficiency is only a technical name for hustle. —_>~+.—___ An ounce of do is worth a pound of know, MEN OF MARK. C. N. Bristol, State Apostle Mutual Fire Insurance. Clarence N. Bristol was born on a farm near Grant, Michigan, Septem- Ler 27, 1875. His antecedents were English on his father’s side and Holland on his mother’s side. When he was 6 years old his parents moved to North Dakota, locating at Ayr. Nine years later he returned to Hes- peria to finish his education, remain- ing there six years. He then returned to North Dakota, where he taught school for ten years from 1895 to 1905. In the meantime he became interested in the subject of mutual fire insurance and took the _ local agency for a number of companies His success in a limited field was so marked that he was offered the posi- tion of general agent for Alberta, Canada, for the Hudson Bay Fire Insurance Co., of Moose Jaw, and the Merchants Co-operative Fire Insurance Co., of Calgary. He made his headquarters during this time at Calgary, but found the climate so severe that he returned to Velva at the end of three years and took up the work of special agent for the following companies: Merchants National Insurance Co., Fargo, No. Dakota. North Dakota Implement Dealers Mutual Insurance Co., Grand Forks. Security Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Chatfield, Minn. Believing that Michigan presented a more lucrative field for the develop- ment of mercantile mutual insurance than North Dakota, because the towns and stores are more numerous, Mr. Bristol pulled up stakes in the fall of 1917 and removed to this state, locating first at Fremont. He is now State agent for the following sterling companies: Retail Hardware Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Minneapolis, Minn. Hardware Dealers’ Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Stevens Point, Wis. Minnesota Implement Mutual Fire Ins, Co., Owatonna, Minn. Mr. Bristol is special agent for the following Michigan Companies: Michigan Shoe Dealers’ Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Fremont. Michigan Mercantile Fire Ins. Co., Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids Merchants’ Mutual Fire Ins. Co. It is Mr. Bristol’s intention to devote his entire time to the work of inspecting risks, showing mer- chants how they can reduce _ their rates, write their policies and settle the losses whenever losses occur. Mr. Bristol was married in 1905 to Miss Ruth A. Bates, of Velva. They have five children, two boys and three girls. The family is at present residing at Hesperia on account of their inability to obtain a suitable home at Fremont. Mr. Bristol is a Mason, including the Shrine degree, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Methodist church. He attributes his success to the fact that he can call on more merchants in the course of a day than any other man of his acquaintance and that he meets with no difficulty in keeping them inter- ested on the topic uppermost in his mind during the time he is with them, It is a matter of congratulation that Clarence N. Bristo!. the retail merchants of Michigan can have the pleasure and satisfaction of dealing with a man who understands fire insurance thoroughly and who will not give them policies full of loopholes and catch clauses to trip the unwary. Excellent Showing Made By Shoe Dealers’ Mutual. The annual statement of the Mich- igan Shoe Dealers’ Mutual Fire In- surance Co. for the year ending Dec. 31, 1918, presents a very flattering condition of the institution as fol- lows: Membership, 901. Insurance in force, nearly $2,500,- 000. Income, $33,138.58. Losses paid, $8,137.59. Expenses, $6,296.73. Amount saved members in prem- iums, $10,519.98. Assets, $7,500 in Liberty bonds and $4,610.81 deposited in banks and trust companies. Percentage of losses to receipts per cent. Percentage of expenses to receipts, 18 per cent. The showing is an excellent one and reflects great credit on President Murray, Se¢retary Bode and _ their enthusiastic associates. The company has increased its div- idend rate from 25 per cent. to 30 per cent. for 1919 and hopes to in- crease the dividend to 35 per cent. on the business of 1920. Instead of deducting the dividend at the begin- ning of the year, as heretofore, the company has decided to pay it at the end of each year, in accordance with the custom of all of the large mutual fire insurance companies. , 25 Pellston—This village is to have a modern flour mill. Such a plant is being installed by C. K. Stewart and will be open for business soon. —_2+>—____ The world is moved by men who cling to their own possibilities in the face of opposition, defeat and ridi- cule. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 15, 1919 Bristol Insurance Agency Fire, Tornado and Automobile Insurance Fremont, Mich. Representing Hardware and Implement Mutuals Writing Hardware, Implement and Garage Lines Allowing Dividends at Expiration of 50% to 55%. Retail Hardware Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Minneapolis, Minn. Michigan Companies Writing Gen- eral Mercantile Lines, and Allow- ing 25% to 30% off Michigan Inspection Bureau Rates: Mich. Shoe Dealers’ Mutual Fire Ins. Co.. Fremont, Mich. Michigan Mercantile Fire Insurance Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. G. R. Merchants Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. Hardware Dealers’ Mutuai Fire Ins. Co., Stevens Point, Wis. Minnesota Implement Mutual Fire Ins. Go., Owatonna, Minn. We inspect your risk, prepare your form, write your policy and adjust and pay your loss promptly, if you meet with disaster. If your rate is too high, we will inspect your risk and show you how to get it reduced. We specialize in Fire Insurance, and are in position to handle any fire insurance proposition, large or small, and feel no hesitation in stating that it is no longer necessary for any merchant or businessman to submit to the high rates and unjust exactions of the stock fire in- surance companies. Correspondence solicited. All letters promptly answered. C. N. BRISTOL, Manager and State Agent. Michigan Shoe Dealers’ Mutual Fire Insurance Co. FREMONT, MICH. Insurance in Force Nearly $2,500,000 Membership 901 OFFICERS: President —Albert Murray, Charlotte. Ist Vice Pres.—John Muffly,. Kalamazoo 2nd Vice Pres.—W. W. Pearson, Fremont. Sec’y and Treas.— Geo. Bode, Fremont Ass’t Sec’y-Treas.— Arthur Bode, Fremont DIRECTORS: Edward Stocker, Detroit H. P. Woodworth, Lansing. A. V. Frederich, Traverse City. George Bode, Fremont. Financial Statement for 1918 INCOME TN SN FO ic sins ng oon os ss wo a nce ee a, i Oe eho ce age 138.58 a Be rk inno ocks Sobek 191 96 PUREE ais oo as pay oO KG viene oes oR ae om eek Gab aicdie GNoGs Sb eae ooCkL bog Eee ce a 54 DISBURSE ere Asnt, OF IGRBOA DIRIG «oo 5. wos 555 ons ws cokes: Goes ss Expense of adjustment and settlement of losses as 59. Officers’ salaries and fees Sec’y ..............-+.-- - 3,529 60 Directors’ fees and expenses. ............ 0.02. cece ee cee ee cues eetenseee 18 Advertising and printing . . Sess yke Soee ibe a eee ee Pie Ges 372.68 Postage and stamped envelopes . Doe seas oe sea oh ae ches oe oes pees eban es cane ee 411.18 Commissions to agents ...... -......-.-- 0.0.2 scence cone teee cee tere etetceesssen tens 1,704.68 Return pene =e 2s- == >> pla Gs oo sc hos se chese s aeeh ook es alenes cree ee ee 338.75 Internal Revenue . Red ee Seren seb se oes sabe eak sg ces penees pecs wer ee eos 10 80 Re-insurance ....--- Seeks lalate mebaed Lak ageut wus aay paleo Wa ss ie ee eee ae 13,113 46 Permanent office supplies" eee os oo ee oars hein ko ee a a 190.63 TORRE CIMIIUOBO TION 5 5 503 ooo 6 o Soon 6 2 sk cen cncsin conc ce bie neees bck cede bees shbsss $28,219 73 TIMARU cos shou < 6 oss pees voces aces pibese Sabeas Cece Geaiee Sece se ee eae $12,110.81 ASSETS RUPERT tik TU is fis oes oe es eee hic eee cee scenes cae twepese cea bees 110.81 Peoomita in Hanks on iwitereet <<. . os. Coe. ose soles oes is ees os be cae ose Secs see ws 4,500.00 MAOIST oo eas ow onic w wa oC ois ow Soin ob be is eee ae ae 7,500 00 PUG OE ona aa hak oa ss ook cas oes We oa os ek eee lh eee «ee $12,110.81 LIABILITIES MIMORTNGE DIOMUI: - 5 Soa s Gos ce os oii cess Sani e es ok SC $5.314.40 "Total WeaPaIOe 3 25s Se in eS eos aes seen i ys ee $5,314.40 Write us about your risk. We can save you money. i i | i ; 3 “il cent, tint, January 15, 1919 REALM OF THE RETAILER. Beware of Country Merchant Store Form No. 35. There is one thing the mutual fire insurance companies must be extra careful to handle properly and that is the riders they place on their policies. When the standard policy form was enacted by the Legislature, it was not intended that the companies should be permitted to create riders which would be as voluminous as the stand- ard form itself, but the opportunity to nullify and modify the policy form by unjustifiable provisions and catch phrases was too great to be permitted to escape. The result is a series of riders which can not be too strongly condemned by all men who believe in fair play and do not countenance subterfuge and downright dishonesty. Take form No. 35, for instance, which has been attached to thousands of policies uttered in Michigan to owners of country stores. A careful perusal discloses frequent instances of crookedness and evasion. It specific- ally covers awnings and signs, but a few lines later in the same paragraph the statement is made that the policy covers articles specified “only while contained IN the above described building.” Who ever heard of signs and awnings on the inside of the building? No one ever heard of such a thing. This one catch phrase alone is sufficient to establish the crooked character of the rider, the sharp prac- tice of the schemer who prepared it, the printer who printed it, the com- panies which countenance it and the agents who use it, knowing they are perpetrating a brand on their cus- tomers. The absence .of the words “other insurance permitted” invalidates ev- ery policy bearing this crooked rider, where there is other insurance on the same property. The use of the words “Uniform Standard Michigan” at the top of the form is a misnomer. It is not uni- form and it is not standard. Those words are used with the intent of de- ceiving persons who are handed poli- cies with this rider attached. In most cases they are told by the agents ut- tering the policies that the riders can not be changed, because they have been adopted by the State and have the force of law. Such statements are utterly false and misleading. Copy of the form is filed with the State In- surance Commissioner, but it is not validated or invalidated by him. He could not make a form full of catch phrases and pitfalls legal by approv- ing it, because no official or court can legalize a document which is fraudu- lent on its face. : This form contains another pitfall under the three-fourths value - clause in that it requires other insurance to be concurrent. This condition no company has any right to require and evasion, the policy holder who accepts a pol- ° icy with this provision in the rider will have only himself to blame if he finds himself deliberately swindled by the adjuster in the case of a loss by fire. The objectional sentence is in- jected into the form solely to trip the policy holder and depreciate the value of his policy. A year ago the stock companies agreed to eliminate the concurrent requirement in their rid- ers, but while they omitted it in one paragraph they slipped it in another place, showing very plainly that they are not disposed to deal fairly under any circumstances. They have been in the habit of resorting to little legal technicalities and sneak acts so long that they can not get out of the old environment. A leopard can _ not change his spots and stock insurance officials can not be trusted to volun- tarily do the fair thing under any circumstances. Unfortunately, some of the mutual companies patronize the printing of- fice established and maintained by the cohorts of the stock fire insurance combine and are, therefore, liable to be held up to censure and public ridicule because they make use of the forms prepared by their crooked com- petitors. This is an abuse which must be remedied. The mutual companies should prepare their own riders and should make them as uniform as pos- sible, so that they will all be on the same basis. The riders so created should be stripped of every sugges- tion of catch phrases and_ technical constructions which tend to confuse the insured and place a club in the hands of the adjuster to force an un- fair settlement. So far as the Trades- man’s knowledge goes, the mutuals of this State, and those authorized to do business in Michigan have been uni- formly fair in their adjustments, but they must follow the advice of the Apostle Paul and “avoid the appear- ance of evil” by refusing to avail themselves of the forms prepared in an atmosphere of distrust, dishonesty and low cunning. Personally, I think the use of long and technical riders should be pro- hibited altogether. All necessary features should be embodied in the standard form which is enacted by the Legislature, which should prohibit the use of riders except to a very limited extent. It is not unlikely that this feature will be presented at the pres- ent session of the. Legislature, with a view to bringing about the termina- tion of the rider abuse. The Worden Grocer Company is doing its customers a stalwart service by awakening them to the presence of the so-called iron-safe clause and the necessity of living up to its pro- visions. This house has had occasion several times to assist its customers in obtaining justice at the hands of brutal and unscrupulous stock com- pany adjusters who have undertaken to deceive policy holders as to the character of their policies and the amount they have coming to them in the event of fire. In every case so far the Worden Co. has succeeded in de- feating the machinations of the ras- cally adjusters. E. A. Stowe. Automobile Insurance *: is an absolute ecessity. If you insure with an ‘‘old line’ Posoos you pay 33'4% more than we charge. Consult us = a INTER INSURES E EXCHANGE tae =a AUTOMOBILE on 221 Houseman Bidg., Grand Rapids, Mic MICHIGAN TRADESMAN The Michigan Mercantile Fire Insurance Co. - OF GRAND RAPIDS will use this space during 1919. Grand Rapids Safe Co. WATCH IT. Grand Rapids Fire Proof Safes Why pay for fire insurance and then invalidate it by not keeping your annual inventory and record of daily sales and purchases in a fire proof safe, as provided by the policy rider? We carry a full stock adapted to the use of merchants. Attention Merchants! Insure with the Grand Rapids Merchants Mutual Fire Insurance Co. We will insure you at 25% less than Stock Company rates. No membership fee charged. We give you 30 days to pay your premium and do not discrimi- nate. We are organized to Insure Buildings. Stocks, etc.. any where in the State of Michigan. Since our organization we have saved our members Thousar ds of Dollars, and can do, proportionally, the same for ycu. HOME OFFICE, - GRAND RAPIDS Ae Assets $2,700,000.00 (MH: Insurance in Force $57,000,000.00 ERCHANTS Lire INSURANCE COMPANY Offices—Grand Rapids, Mich. Has an unexcelled reputation for its Service to Policyholders $3,666, 161.58 Paid Policy Holders Since Organization CLAUDE on RELL S. WILSON Vi Sec’y ice-Pres. WM. A. WATTS JOHN A. McKELLAR President CLAY H. HOLLISTER Vice-Pres. Treas. SURPLUS TO POLICY HOLDERS $479,058.61 Fire Insurance that Really Insures The first consideration in buying your fire insurance is SAFETY. You want your protection from a company which really protects you, not from a company which can be wiped out of existence by heavy losses, as some companies have been. Our Company is so organized that it CAN NOT lose heavily in any one fire. Its invariable policy is to accept only a limited amount of insurance on any one building, in any one block in any one town. Our Company divides its profits equally with its policy holders, thus reducing your premiums about one-third under the regular old line charge for fire insurance. MICHIGAN BANKERS AND MERCHANTS’ MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE CO. FREMONT, MICHIGAN Wm. N. Senf, Secretary MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 15, 1919 Movements of Merchants. Lansing—A. L. Holliday succeeds Holliday & Son in the grocery busi- ness. Perrinton—Richards Bros. succeed L. H, Richards in the grocery busi- ness. Charlotte—Rex A. Dell has opened an electrical supply store in the Hildreth building. Grand Haven—Jacob Botbyl, of the Botbyl Grocer Co., died at his home, Jan. 10, of influenza. Battle Creek—Sidney C. Fisher succeeds J. H. Kellogg in the grocery business at 109 East Main street. Howell—Addison W. Balch, pio- neer grocer, died at his home Jan. 10, following an attack of acute indiges- tion. Lawton—Walter Tabor has leased the old Smith restaurant and is con- verting it into a hotel which he will open about Jan. 18. Boyne Falls—Herman C. Meyer is remodeling his store building and will add to his grocery stock full lines of shoes and dry goods. Muir—H. J. Stott is installing a twenty-five horse power engine in the feed mill he is erecting in connection with his grain elevator. Grand Haven—Fred J. Jacobs, pro- prietor of the E. J. Avery jewelry store, died at his home Jan. 9, follow- ing an attack of pneumonia. Wacousta—Myron L. Garlock has sold his stock of general merchandise to Lowell S. Grisson, who has man- aged the business for the past five years. Lansing—The Lansing Creamery Co. has opened a store No. 2 at 319 South Washington street with a full line of baked goods, butter, cream, milk and eggs. . Mattawan—C. G. Goodrich, hard- ware dealer, who lost his store build- ing by fire, last Oct.,-has erected a modern store in its place and will occupy it about Jan. 20. Coldwater—L. L. Calkins, who has received his discharge from the army, is closing out his grocery stock and will remove to Kalamazoo and engage in the grocery and meat business. Jackson—Hugh M. Crane has pur- chased the interest of E. S. Rams- weiller in the grocery stock of Crane & Co., 1508 Francis street. The busi- ness will be continued under the same style. Hubbardston—James Cowman has engaged in the dry goods, shoe and men’s furnishing goods business in the brick store formerly occupied by his father, the late J. W. Cowman. The grocery business so long con- ducted by the father will be contin- ued by the son. Kalamazoo — Thieves entered the drug store of William J. Benedict 819 South West street, Jan. 8, and carried away considerable stock and the contents of the cash register. Berrien Springs—George Wright has purchased the interest of his part- ner, Harry Barnhart, in the Wright & Barnhart meat market and will continue the business under his own name. Maple Rapids—William Schneider and Albert Richards have formed a copartnership and purchased the gro- cery stock of Nathan Kaplain and will continue the business at the same location. Bangor—Joe Getz has_ sold his stock of groceries and shoes and his store building to his sons. Morris and Oscar, who have taken possession and will continue the business under the style of Getz Bros. Owosso—Charles A. Lawrence has sold a half interest in his department store to C. V. Page, who will manage the dry goods department. The busi- ness will be continued under the style of Charles A, Lawrence & Co. Mulliken—R. A. Pringle has sold his hardware stock to H. N. Potter, who will consolidate it with his own. Mr, Pringle has taken a position as Sales Organizer with the Delco Farm Lighting Co., with headquarters in Detroit. Three Rivers—Balch & Haring, un- dertakers, have dissolved partnership and the business will be continued by O, L. Haring, who has purchased the Moore homestead and is remodeling it into a chapel and undertaking parlors. Detroit—T. J. Jackson has resigned from the management of Ye Boot- erye, and expects to open a shoe shop of his own in the near future. Mr. Jackson is a well known figure in the shoe business, and has been with the Ye Booterye shop since it was organized in Detroit. He expects to retain the control of the Royal Oak branch. He will be succeeded in the present position by Mr. V. V. MacBryde, a retail shoe man of con- siderable reputation. Bay City—Peter Smith & Sons Co., conducting a chain of fourteen groc- ery stores in Bay City, has filed a petition in bankruptcy in the United States court here. The firm’s liabil- ities are placed at $90,812.74, with as- sets of $63,081.56. J. Henry Smith, of Detroit, has been appointed re- ceiver. Frank C. Moore, of this city, who died several days ago, was busi- ness manager of the company, and with his father, Charles Moore, also of this city, were the principal stock- holders. Flint—At a meeting of the Flint Retail Grocers’ Association, action was taken to in some degree counter- act the injustice done the retailer by the recently published request of the Flint Board of Commerce wherein all retailers who could were asked to give a 15 per cent. discount for a period of ninety days. Some retail- ers endeavor to do as_ requested, while others will not do so, thereby incurring the displeasure of the con- sumer. In order that the public may fully understand why it is not possi- ble for the grocer to give any dis- count, some method will be worked out for publishing the facts exactly as they are and while the Price Reg- ulation Committee of the Food Ad- ministration have published the retail prices, no effort has been made to educate the consumer in this respect and the retailers of Flint feel justified in at least making an effort to cor- rect the false impressions that have gone abroad relative to their profits. Manufacturing Matters. Owosso—The United Dairies Co. has increased its capital stock from $10,000 to $25,000. Detroit—The Lozier Motor Co., has decreased its capital stock from $200.000 to $50,000. Lansing—The New-Way Motor Co. has increased its capital stock from $500,000 to $750,000. St. Johns—Fire destroyed the Hiar- mon & Foltz flour mill Jan. 12, en- tailing a loss of about $18,000. Howell—The Spencer-Smith Ma- chine Co, has increased its capitali- zation from $40,000 to $100,000. Detroit—The Kermath Manufac- turing Co., manufacturer of gas and gasoline engines, has increased its capital stock from $20,000 to $70,000. Detroit—Fire destroyed the store building and stock of the F. F. In- gram Co., manufacturing chemists and perfumers, Jan. 8, causing a loss of over $10,000. Galesburge—The Galesburg Casting Co. will be removed to Battle Creek and its name changed to the Battle Creek Casting Co. It is owned by Frank Scott and E. W. Cole, both of Battle Creek. —_—__2+2—___ Obsequies of the Wreck Victims. The remains of the late Harold W. Sears and Raymond C. Parker were brought back from the scene of the wreck this morning. The Sears funer- al was held at the family residence, 333 Washington street, at 3 o’clock this afternoon. It was conducted by Dean Potter, of St. Mark’s Pro- Cathedral. Interment was in Oak Hill. Mr. Parker’s funeral will be held at the undertaking rooms of Albert J. Alt, 343 West Bridge street, at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning. Rev. Geo. J. Rea will officiate. Interment in Oak Hill. The store was closed all day to-day and will also be closed during the Parker funeral Thursday morning. Telegrams were sent to all the sales- men yesterday, requesting them to take no orders Wednesday or Thurs- day forenoon. Charles Sergeant, man- ager of the underwear and hosiery department, has been designated to act as temporary manager of the busi- . ness, pending the action of the Board of Directors in selecting a successor to Mr. Sears. Mr. Sergeant is the oldest department head in the house. 2-2 Shall Chicago give up her famous Goethe street? Already Bismarck place has become Ancona street, Berlin street Canton street, and so on; but as one Chicagoan remarks, Mozart, Schiller, Beethoven, and Goethe did nothing offensive to America, and their works belong to all lands, As between pronouncing Goethe street and changing it, the argument is all for a new name. Chi- cagoans have never been able to agree whether to call it Go-ee-thee or more elegantly, Gotay. The Alder- men who are wrestling with the problem are understood to refer to it only in writing. The matter is complicated by the plan of following the order of letters in the alphabet in the naming of streets. Thus, all streets between Chicago and North avenue must have names beginning with B. Shall Goethe street become Bremner street, in honor of one of Chicago’s heroes; or Belleau; or 3usse, in honor of a former Mayor; or Bennington, of Revolutionary memory? One difficulty encountered in changing certain names in Chicago will not be met by those who wish to erase German from the city map. When an attempt was made to change the name of Mulligan street, Alderman Coughlin sprang to his feet. “Why pickonthe Irish?” he exclaimed. A riot ,was averted, and the next order of business hastily taken up. ——~_»-». —____ Tt is no longer q doubtful honor to be a “corn king,” at least in Indiana. The title is conferred, not upon the man who has cornered the staple, but upon the one who has made the soil produce the largest amount of it. What can be done by the right com- bination of ground and skill is shown by the fact that while the average number of bushels of corn to the acre in the State is 36, the average yield obtained by the contestants was 67.8, while there were four who raised an average of over 100 bushels. The winner got 108 bushels from each of the five acres in his prize patch. Nor are these victors to go without tangible evidence of their triumph. Gold medals distinguished the 100-bushel class, silver medals those raising an average of between 100 and 85 bushels, of whom there are 19, and bronze medals those ob- taining between 85 and 75 bushels, of whom there are 51. These 74 are only a fraction of the number com- peting, since about 900 farmers were in the contest. If but a small part of them could win a medal, the differ- ence between the average yield per acre over the State and that which these men obtained is sufficient tribute to their industry and__ ability. Among them, at all events, there is no inclination to receive with polite indifference the advice of the peripa- tetic professors from Purdue Uni- versity. inne | | January 15, Nee eee = es 7 eT od AITO OCH Ef Gee t GR qerias : he fa : yt ) "7 Ay ? n ea WwW 4 It A \ OCERY 4» PRODUCE MARKEI 1) eeanam iS py esti ~ah Wea = wg. ya Review of the Grand Rapids Produce Market. Apples—Pound Sweet, $2.50 per bu.: Hubbardstons, $2.25; Baldwin, $1.75; Northern Spys, $2.50@3; Mack- intoshes, $2; Grimes Golden, $2; Greenings, $2; Russets, $1.75. Bananas—$7.50 per 100 Ibs. Beets—90c per bu. Butter—The market is 1c lower. There is a moderate supply of fresh creamery on hand at this time and the receipts still continue light, with a good consumptive demand. We do not look for any lower prices in the near future. The average make of fresh creamery is light for this time of year, and the cold storage stocks are also extremely light. Local deal- ers hold fancy creamery at 65c in tubs and 67c in prints. Creamery more than a month old, 61c. Jobbers pay 48c for No. 1 dairy in jars and sell at 50c. They pay 35c for pack- ing stock. Cabbage—$3.50 per 100 Ibs. Carrots—75c per bu. Celery—Michigan, 50c per bunch; California, $1.35@2 per bunch, accord- ing to size. As usual, the California is utterly devoid of flavor and is as tough as a boiled owl. Cucumbers—Indiana hot house, $3 per dozen. Eggs—The market on fresh is 3c lower than a week ago. There is a fair supply on hand at this time and the receipts are slowly increasing. There is a good consumptive demand and we look for an increased produc- tion from this time on. Local deal- ers pay 55c per doz. loss off, includ- ing cases, delivered. Cold storage operators are putting out their stocks on the basis of 49c for candled firsts and 45c for candled seconds. Garlick—60c per Ib. Grape Fruit—$5@5.75 per box for all sizes Floridas. Grapes—California Emperors, $12 per keg. Green Onions—Charlotts, $1.20 per dozen. Green Peppers—$1 per basket for Florida. Honey—35c per Ib. for white clov- er and 30c for dark. Lemons—California, $5 for choice and $5.50 for fancy. Lettuce—Head, $3.75 per bu. ham- per: hot house leaf, 23c per Ib. Onions—$2.25 per 100 Ib. sack for either Red or Yellow. Oranges — Floridas, $5@5.50 per box: California Navals, $4.50@7, ac- cording to size. Pineapples—$6 per crate. Pop Corn—13c per Ib. Potatoes—$2.25 per 100 lb. sack. Radishes—Hot house, 35c per doz. bunches. Sauash—Hubbard, $3.50 per 100 Ibs. Sweet Potatoes—Jerseys command $3 per 50 lb. hamper. Tomatoes—California, $1.50 per 5 {b. basket; hot house, 35c per lb. Turnips—65c per bu. —_~+->—___ The Grocery Market. Sugar—-A_ development of special moment is the announcement. that, effective Monday, the price of all beet sugars shipped from the Michi- gan-Ohio district is reduced to the basis of 8.90c, a decline of 10c per 100 pounds. It is stated in advices from Detroit that beet sugar orders are assured prompt shipment. Cane refined is not expected to begin to appear in the Middle West markets before the end of this month or the beginning of February. All of the factories in the Michigan-Ohio dis- trict, with the exception of three, were expected to complete their slic- ing by the end of last week. Those that are included in the above ex- ception may run for two or three weeks longer. On account of the recent removal of restrictions by the Food Administration it is believed that distribution of the beet outturn of that district will not be finished before March 1. After Jan. 20, cane sugars may be shipped into the beet sugar zone of which Michigan is a part. Coffee—The market is still extreme- ly high, with almost no business do- ing. There is some little recession in price, but not enough to amount to anything. Rio 7s are worth green and in a large way on spot, 164@17c which is more than twice the normal price. The quotation from Brazil is a little lower than it has been, prob- ably 1% cents. The present quota- tion on Santos 4s, green and ina large way, is around 22c per pound, which is 1 cent below the highest point reached. Brazil is also quoting a little less on Santos 4s. Until some coffee gets in here and the restric- tions are removed, there will be no lower prices on coffee. Some coffee is afloat, but it will afford no relief until it arrives in sufficient quanti- ties to modify the present bareness of the market. Brazil is now in extreme- ly fine financial condition and it is probably within her power to keep prices maintained for some time upon present basis. Mild coffees are still very firm and high. Bogotas, Mara~ caibos and washed Caracas ruling well up between 20@30c, in fact, al- most to the old Mocha price. Mocha is extremely firm and commands MICHIGAN TRADESMAN around 33c per pound green and in a large way. Tea—lIndications of reviving inter- est in tea on the part of domestic distributers are becoming quite pro- nounced. Enquiries coming from many quarters are not a few instances followed up with orders, and while none of these appear to be for im- portant quantities they reflect more or less pressing needs, and dealers are inclined to look upon them as the beginning of a buying movement of greater magnitude than any that has been seen since the fall of last year. Canned Fruit—There has been a good demand for California fruit, but offerings have been very light and the market is nominal. Canned Vegetables—Tomatoes are easier and No. 3s are obtainable at around $1.72)4 in a large way, f. o. b. factory. No official figures covering the pack are available as yet, but a conservative estimate is 18,000,000 cases. There have been no releases of tomatoes as yet, nor of corn or peas, and at the moment no signs of any. Corn and peas are dull at unchanged prices. Canned Fish—It is about settled that there will be no more salmon for the consuming trade of the country, as the Government last Thursday ad- vised packers to sell no more, as Eng- land. France and other foreign coun- tries would take all of the available supply of red Alaska, pinks and chums. The removal of the embargo on for- eign herring has not yet had the re- sult of bringing anything good here from abroad. A considerable quantity of herring has come in from Alaska. Domestic sardines are steady to firm and unchanged in prices. Dried Fruits—The feature of the dried fruit market during the past week has been the removal of prac- tically all items from the Export Con- servation List which, while offering an additional outlet if one should be needed does not materially alter the situation for there is not enough fruit available for the domestic de- mand. Even at that it might be pos- sible to divert domestic stocks into foreign channels, as the price limits do not apply to foreign sales. If business of this character should spring up it would further complicate an already difficult domestic situa- tion. The inconvenience that has been caused by delays in transit has to some extent been removed by the arrival of shipments of prunes and other fruit that have been on the way for a long time. As to provid- ing additional offerings in the mar- ket, however, these have not helped very much, as there have been places waiting for them on their arrival which have absorbed the shipments as soon as they got in. Supplies of apricots on the spot are being re- duced and there have been liberal purchases during the past week of choice varieties. Rice—There is more or less de- mand for the fancy grades, which are hard to find, but, as a rule, buy- ers appear to have sufficient stock for the present. The market is firm on the basis of previous quotations. See ata cre nae aac an a a RT a oh temo = ere mene oe RE Molasses—There is a good demand for fancy grocery grades at the quot- ed prices, but business is restricted by limited receipts. Late New Or- leans mail advices report a dull and irregular market. Cheese—The market is very firm, following advices of advanced quota- tions from the country markets. There is a moderate supply on hand and the receipts of fresh-made cheese are extremely light. There is a good consumptive demand, Beans and Peas—The dedest things in the grocery line is beans. Pea beans, marrows and California limas all rule at about unchanged prices, although perhaps there is a little weaker tone and the demand is extremely poor. Some people explain it on the ground that pork, which is usually eaten with beans, is very high. This may account for some of it, but hardly for all. Green and Scotch peas unchanged and quiet. Salt Fish—The mackerel situation is unchanged. Solely by reason of the fall:ng off in demand, some holders of mackerel have made concessions of $1@2 per barrel duting the last few days. There is no surplus stock, how- ever. and if demand springs up con- cessions will instantly be withdrawn and there might even be an advance. Cod. hake and haddock are firm and high: demand fair. Provisions—The market on smoked meats is slightly easier, due to an in- creased supply of hogs and a fair de- mand. The market on pure lard is steady, with quotations about 2c per pound lower than previous quota- tions, due largely to an increase in the make. There is no material in- crease in the consumption. The mar- ket on lard substitutes is firm, with quotations unchanged. There is a good supply on hand at this time and a good demand. The market on bar- reled pork is steady, with quotations ranging the same as last week, with a light supply and a fair demand. The market on dried beef is slightly easier, due to increase in production and a moderate demand. The market on canned meats is firm at quotations ranging the same as last week. Mark E. Kuhn, of Pewamo, has purchased an interest in the Cox Grocery Co., North Ionia avenue, and will assume the management of the business Jan. 20. At a meeting of the stockholders, held Jan. 9, Mr. Kuhn was elected a director and Secretary of the company. en cee Frank Cruess, of the Frank Cruess & Sons Co.,. conducting a chain of grocery, meat and provision stores at Waterbury, Conn., writes us as follows: “Please find check for one year’s subscription to the Tradesman. I feel I cannot do without it. Very fine paper.” —__>--2—___ Some people manage to beat his Satanic majesty about the bush by lying with their mouths closed. The Special Furniture Co. has in- creased its capital stock from $20,000 to $50,000. _ oo E. L. Howard succeeds G. H. Porter in the grocery business at 1133 Cooper avenue. : MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 15, 1919 Annual Round-Up of the Worden (Grocer Company. The annual round-up of the man- agement, officers, directors and selling organization of the Worden Grocer Company was held at the Peninsular Club last Saturday, being participat- ed in by the following: Guests. Lee M. Hutchins. Heber A. Knott. C. M. Moore. E. A. Stowe. Speakers A. P. Johnson. Frank Row. Musicians. J. Francis Campbell. George A. Murphy. Harold Tower. Officers and Directors. Guy W. Rouse, President. E. D. Winchester, Vice-President. H. P. Winchester, Secretary. R. J. Prendergast, Treasurer. T. J. Barker, Cashier. N. Fred Avery, Director. VanCleve Ganson, Director. Charles W. Garfield, Director. Grand Rapids Office and Selling Force. L. M. Bliss, Assistant Cashier. L. T. Hansen, Shipping Clerk. J. W. Quinn, House salesman. Harry Wheeler, House salesman. L. Berles, House salesman. C. H. Williams, House salesman. A. P. Anderson, Traveling sales- man. F. E. Beardslee, Traveling sales- man. E. C. Below, Traveling salesman. George A. Bruton, Traveling sales- man. E. A. Crandall, Traveling salesman. Wm. DeKuiper, Traveling sales- man, P. F. Dykema, Traveling salesman. Arie Donker, Traveling salesman. George W. Haskell, Traveling salesman. O. C. Hayden, Traveling salesman. J. J. Hartger, Traveling salesman. Will Jones, Traveling salesman V. M. Johnson, Traveling salesman. E. E. Kraai, Traveling salesman. P. C. Kieft, Traveling ‘salesman. A. Loughrey, Traveling salesman. G. A. Lindemulder, ‘Traveling salesman. A. E. Motley, Traveling salesman. W. E. Sawyer, Traveling salesman. H. C. Saunders, Traveling salesman. A. VerMerris, Traveling salesman. Richard Warner, Traveling sales- man, E. J. Hart, Manager Tea Depart- ment. D. F. Helmer, Manager Coffee De- partment. Kalamazoo Branch. W. S. Cooke, Manager. G. R. Clark, Assistant Manager. Charles McCarthy, Credit Man- ager. August Schwalm, Shiping Clerk. Jack Trowbridge, House salesman. W. J. Borden, House salesman. J. P. Bosker, Traveling salesman. F. A. Saville, Traveling salesman. A. M. Hall, Traveling salesman. Harrison Bauer, Traveling sales- man. J. P. Honton, Traveling salesman. C. B. Cook, Traveling salesman. J. J. Linihan, Traveling salesman. D. G. Fox, Traveling salesman. Illuminating talks were made by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Row, the for- mer on the problem of the universe and the latter on fire insurance. Each one present was _ presented with a handsome silver plated pencil, with convenient clip. President Rouse exhibited an empty carton which had contained Quaker pepper which was picked up outside of a Y. M. C. A. canteen in France. He also read an interesting letter from a local soldier boy who mailed the carton to Mr. Rouse. President Rouse paid a fitting trib- ute to the memory of Herbert Baker, who died during the past year, and also referred in a sympathetic man- ner to those who were unable to be present at the gathering because of illness. The affair. was a most enjoyable one for all concerned—except the poor devils who do not smoke. +2 Changing From Stock to Mutual Companies. Kalamazoo, Jan. 13—About once a year I feel it my duty to write you and tell you how much I appreciate the Tradesman and the splendid work it is doing for the retail merchant. | usually do this the last week in December, when I make a painstak- ing review of the events of the past year and write appreciative letters to those who have contributed to my pleasure and profit during the year. Some one told me that you had something new up your sleeve for the readers of the Tradesman this year, so I was not at all sur- prised to read in the paper last week that you had decided to add an insurance department. Your informa- tion on this subject has always been so complete, your attitude has been so progressive and your views so far seeing and far reaching that I have no doubt the new department will prove to be as illuminating to the readers of the Tradesman as the other unique features which have made the paper so valuable to us mer- chants. In common with yourself, I was suspicious of mutual insurance so long as it was forced to use the note system, but now that the situa- tion has been simplified and a mer- chant can accept a policy in a mutual company without fear of getting tan- gled up in possible loss and litigation, IT am changing all my policies over from stock to mutual companies. I! am confining my patronage to those companies I see advertised in the Tradesman, because I realize how careful you are to accept advertising from no institution you cannot con- scientiously recommend. It is this constant carefulness on your part, in every department of the Tradesman, which has made the paper invaluable to the retail merchant as a pleasant companion and faithful advisor. Merchant. —_+-.—____ Menominee—The Lloyd Manufac- turing Co. announces that it offers for sale its “tank heater business.” This department approximates $40,000 a year. The reason for desiring to discontinue this branch of the enter- prise is that it is entirely independent of the reed loom products which forms the greater part of the con- cern’s activities. —_>-+—_—_ Some men never accomplish any- thing because they are unable to find an easy mark to put up the money. How Long Shall We Waster We have had in this country of ours a very large amount of property destroyed by fire each year that could have been saved by proper precautions, more care, and better laws. Shall we con- tinue to waste, by unnecessary fires, wealth and property that could be saved by thoughtfulness and care, or shall we begin an era of reform and prevention. Recent statistics show that the fire loss per person in Holland was 11c for an entire year; for England 33c per person; and for the United States last year $2.54 per person. Michigan’s fire loss for 1916 was $6,593,105, but if we were as care- ful as Holland this need only to have been $327,363. This means an unnecessary loss of over 6 mill- ion dollars for Michigan in one year. Shall we continue to waste, or shall we be real patriotic citizens and go about the task of educating ourselves as to how we may save this large and useless waste of our community's property? We stand ready to co-operate with you in such an effort if you are interested. WORDEN (jROCER COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS—KALAMAZOO THE PROMPT SHIPPERS ‘ i ; i | fi : Fi i 4 ) eer RO ee eee ee ee Sr eee :§ e i January 15, 1919 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN Merchants Life Insurance Co. Home Office—Des Moines, Iowa Has successfully withstood the stress of war and the strain of the “flu” epidemic and stands today better than ever prepared to furnish the highest class of Life Insurance Service. Statement December 31st, 1918 ADMITTED ASSETS LIABILITIES Mortgepe Loans. .......... 055-0000 cee $2,416,610.37 OE en occ ce $2,482,701.70 Policy Loans and Premium Notes........ 110,114.24 Claims reported or in process of adjust- : WING oe ee 93 676.78 Bonds—United States...................... 241,996.00 Premiums Paid in Advance............... 22,210.00 Bonds—Municipal, etc..................... 48,215.00 Set Aside for Taxes....................... 17,830.01 Colbie. 118,166.11 oa gem bette eee saa Be 5,663.75 Oerees SGC... ..- «.-.. ee, ; E Interest Due and Accrued...... ......... 76,811.92 ee 77,509 40 Net Unacollected and Deferred Premiums 87,678.00 Surplus to Policy Holders................ 477,569.40 TOTAL ADMITTED ASSETS........... $3,099,591.64 TOTAL LIABILITIES.................. - $3,099,591.64 Increase in Assets 1918.................... $ 377,364.98 Losses Incurred 1918...................... $ 635,215.00 Securities Deposited with State of Iowa. 2,365,035.37 Influenza Claims 1918 .................... 279,000.00 Paid Policyholders Since Organization (1894)......................0.00005. 4, 274,473.84 Insurance in Force December 3lst, 1918................. 55,088, 201.00 DIRECTORS: RANSOM E. OLDS, President Reo Motor Co., Pres. Capital Nat’l Bank, Lansing, Michigan. E. G. FILER, Pres. Manistee Co. Bank, Manistee, Mich. LEWIS H. WITHEY, Pres. Michigan Trust Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan. CLAY H. HOLLISTER, Pres. Old National Bank, Grand Rapids, Michigan. CLAUDE HAMILTON, Vice Pres, Mich. Tr. Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan. R. W. IRWIN, Vice Pres. Grand Rapids Nat’l City Bank, Sec. Royal Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan. WM. H. GAY, Pres. Peoples Savings Bank, Pres. Berkey & Gay Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan. CHAS. H. BENDER, Vice Pres. Grand Rapids Nat’l City Bank. Pres. City Trust & Savings Bank, Grand Rapids, Michigan. HENRY IDEMA, Pres. Kent State Bank, Grand Rapids, Michigan. STUART E. KNAPPEN, Attorney, Kleinhans, Knappen & Uhl, Grand Rapids, Michigan. WM. = WATTS, Pres. Merchants Life Insurance Co., Des Moines, owa. JOHN A. McKELLAR, Vice Pres. Merchants’ Life Insurance Co., Des Moines, Iowa. RELL S. WILSON, Sec’y Merchants’ Life Insurance Co., Des Moines, Iowa. Cc. C. CLARK, Attorney, Seerley & Clark, Burlington, Iowa. J. L. EDWARDS, Pres. Merchants’ Nat’l Bank, Burlington, Iowa. OFFICERS: WM. A. WATTS, President. RELL S. WILSON, Secretary. CLAUDE HAMILTON, Vice President. RANSOM E. OLDS, Chairman Board of Directors. CLAY H, HOLLISTER, Treasurer. JOHN A. McKELLAR, Vice President. ~ STUART E. KNAPPEN, Counsel. MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT A. G. GREEN, Agency Manager, 4th Floor Michigan Trust Building, Grand Rapids, Michigan Si inane dace he nates sin to MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 15, 1919 THE KAISER’S DESTINATION. The Count von’ Bernstorff was some time in days gone by Ambassa- dor of the now departed empire of our capital, where he was once held in high respect and had an American lady as his count- ess. He is reported as being now busy in the Foreign Office at Berlin “preparing data for the Peace Con- ference.’ An American correspond- ent at that capital, if it really is cap- ital of a nation now, sends word over here by wireless that the ex-Ambas- Germany at sador says he is entirely in ment with the scheme to establish a League of Nations, and believes it is practicable and ultimately be achieved as the only way to prevent future curb the “cace’ increase armaments, and that is the only way to do the curbing. “This war,” he says, “was the result of the arma- ment Well, well, has even Bernstorff not got over the delusion? Who was doing the racing outside of Germany when the war started? agree- will wars. It would between nations to race.” However, he thinks, or says he thinks, that the House of Hohenzol- lern, which started the race and got ahead of everybody else, can never do it again. Asked his opinion about the chance of an effort to restore the monarchy with a member of that house as its head, he is said to have “scouted the idea.” Queried about the possible danger of the Kaiser being so nearby, “Where in hell could we send him?” he cried out in reply. It may really be hard to locate the spot, but somewhere in that place would seem to be appropriate. JAPAN IN THE WAR. In our grateful recognition of our debt to France, England, Belgium, and Italy, we should not forget to give Japan her due for what she has accomplished on the Far Eastern She has driven Germany from her foothold in China. She has policed the Pacific, making it possible for us to concentrate our whole naval strength on the Atlantic. She has carried in her transports many thou- sands of Australians and New Zea- landers to the battleground in France. Her destroyers have done their full share in fighting German submarines in the Mediterranean. frontier. . The world food shortage has not spared Japan. We read much in the papers of the scarcity of rice and the sufferings of the poor. Industrial- ism has been so recently established in Japan that her people have not yet learned how to cope with its evils. There are not enough hospitals, and the few there are have always needed and now need more than ever Eng- lish and American support. The mis- understandings between Japan and this country have been shown to be the result of German lies and trick- ery. Can there be any better way of showing our faith in Japan and our appreciation of the valiant part she has taken in the war than by contribut- ing to her hospitals. LESSON OF THE WRECK. The killing of more than twenty persons in the railroad wreck near Batavia, N. Y., early Sunday morning furnishes a criminal indictment of the New York Central Railway system and its methods. The engineer and fireman of the locomotive which crashed into the Wolverine should both be tried, convicted and _ sen- tenced for manslaughter. The officer who was responsible for sending out an old wooden Pullman in company with steel Pullmans should also be convicted of manslaughter and be punished so severely that no other railway official would ever dare com- mit a similar crime. This and other accidents of a similar character illus- trate the amount of banging and pres- sure a steel coach can withstand with- out serious injury to the occupants, but the use of a wooden Pullman in this day and age which collapses like an egg shell under stress of pressure constitues a crime which ought to be punished so severely that no railway official would ever send out such a death trap again. Unfortunately, the people soon for- get, the crafty railway officials hide behind the plea of Government con- trol and the sleepy or intoxicated en- gineer is exonerated and kept on the job by the infamous trades union which masquerades under the name of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers. The sympathy of the trade will go out to Frank E. Leonard, Manager of H. Leonard & Sons, over the death of his son, Capt. Franklin Leonard, caused by the railway wreck near Batavia, N. Y., last Sunday morning. The deceased was a young man of robust appearance, fine attainments, excellent character and brilliant pros- pects. He had been carefully trained and educated for a responsible and influencial position which would have given full play to his ability and en- ergy. He was surrounded by every influence and advantage which would enable him to lead a useful ife. To be suddenly stricken on the threshold of such a career is one of the in- explainable mysteries which baffle so- lution. Five and ten-cent stores, basement departments and fixed price stores are finding it as hard as ever to ‘ob- tain the merchandise that they need. One case was cited where a large chain of five and ten-cent stores is paying $1.50 a dozen for half hose that it is retailing for ten cent a pair or $1.20 a dozen. The only explana- tion of this action was that they may feel that prices will decline to a level which will make them 10-cent sellers and that rather than turn away the trade that they have developed they are willing to take a loss until prices react to a profitable basis. Ee Makeshifts in low end hosiery have not been very successful in many cases. One mill made up a half hose which they wholesaled to a five and ten-cent store chain for 91 cents a dozen, but they did not sell very well, with the result that both the mill and the five and ten-cent chain are stuck with quite a quantity, with small possibilities of selling them. TRAVELED UNKNOWN PATHS. The year 1918 in the grocery field has not been one which is wholly pleasant to “review,” nor would it be of special value to one in search of perspective as a basis for shaping his course in the year 1919. Business was conducted so nearly absolutely on an artificial basis so far as the natural laws of economics are in- volved that jt offers no criterion for the information of policies, for never again will business men—at least they hope never again—be called up- on to carry on as they have during the period of the war. And yet it has been a year not wholly of hardship. On the contrary, ‘t has been one of rather comfortable and dependable margins of profit on everything sold. The difficulty has been that there was less to be sold, On the one side every one was being asked to curtail consumption, and on the other the Government and _ its Allies purchased so much food di- rectly from production sources that there was comparatively little to be bought at all and resold at a margin by distributers. Probably from a quarter to a third of the normal volume of business that usually flows through legitimate channels did not do so last year. On the other hand, everything sold brought higher prices, and as the Food Administration permitted mar- gins were on the basis of selling price, profits were reasonably large, while on the other, being free from the uncertainties of speculative values that do not always spell pros- perity for the grocer, Costs of do- ing business were larger than usual, due to labor conditions and every other element that enters into busi- ness, and if one chanced to make a larger profit than in the preceding year he handed qa large part of it over to Uncle Sam for the war chest. Yet every one is on the whole satis- fed under the circumstances. The plain fact is that it has not been q year when money-making was the chief consideration of the grocer. First of all, he tried to keep his business intact, while devoting all his surplus energy to helping “food win the war.” Difficult as it may be for some critics to realize it, the grocer really had a patriotic motive and with reasonable complacency ac- cepted such sacrifices as were visited upon him with good grace. Never was he more certain that he in his shop and the Government at Wash- ington were working hand in hand. It has been a year of “going it blind.” when leadership was not only essential but entirely acceptable, since it was recognized as friendly and the path dark and in need of an expert pilot. From start to finish business was done under abnormal conditions in every detail. Controlled in his buying, his selling, his prices, his shipping, his selection of cus- tomers, the grocer found it a year of learning how to do business all over again. None of the landmarks of established practice were of value. “Highbrows” on every hand gave him instruction in accounting and cost analysis, in business methods, in economies of business detail he had never thought of before. He learned, above all, that his place in the world was not wholly a private snap but a public function; that he owed the country something, not merely out of extraordinary pa- triotism but all the time. He came to see himself in a wholly new light and for once took himself serious. In the crisis he acted like a public ser- vant and, on the whole, enjoyed him- self. And when he came through and balanced up the books he still had a fair reward on the business side of the question. During this unprecedented con- dition of affairs there has been grow- ing in the minds of the trade leaders a belief that the war taught them just what a few had suspected; that what the grocery trade at large needed was a “boss;” not an out-and- out dictator of the usual sort, nor one composed of a coterie of official associates who would hammer him in a disciplinary way to observe a cer- tain course of conduct mapped out by a kind of trade “trust.” Of course, such things belong to the archaic past, when there were no_ such things as Sherman laws, but until the advent of Hoover no other way ap- peared by which the recalcitrant brother could be made to “behave’’ and let the idealism try itself out. The war gave that chance and dur- ing 1918 scores of valuable lessons have been learned by grocers gener- ally, tending to increase their effici- ency without impairing their free- dom of competition, Primarily they have learned that dollar competition is not the sole basis of business; that food had a secondary meaning than that of mere “merchandise” and that an aroused and sensitively conscious public opinion was demanding a changed front on the part of the food merchant. In the period of our war participation he has fully ac- cepted this viewpoint and also gained much as to methods for living up to it without overmuch sacrifice. So manifestly valuable have been the lessons that there appears, in all branches of the business, a consider- able sentiment in favor of a perma- nent binder of public authority on one side and co-operated and _ co-ordi- nated efforts on the other. It should not destroy that most valuable of all business assets private initiative, but it should furnish enough authority to prevent wastefulness in competition and cutting of throats. The whole trade mind is intent on the evolution of some such factor for the future. new There is pressure everywhere for lower prices on woolens and clothing. The Government holds the matter in its hand by owning the available raw material. Labor will not be reduced in wages immediately, and conse- quently the necessary cheapening can be brought about only by setting raw wool on its own feet. Mill men argue that the only interest likely to be in- jured by unrestricted public sale of wool might. be the grower, but that even under present conditions the hope for high figures on the new domestic clip is not bright. + t ‘ } ; i ‘ Bh -wanen S eneeceremnenemstnnse Sar mtomnemmenr ements tarwnai ciletieasuan ae ee ff Wai eeceanatenstateccamaee Snare ania oernn cere one ee Pi swans eevecereenemrciemacnntne: arnt Michigan Retail Shoe Dealers’ Associa- ton. tlo President—J. E. Wilson, Detroit. Vice-Presidents — Harry Woodworth, Lansing; James H. Fox, Grand Rapids; Charles Webber, Kalamazoo; A. E. Kel- logg, Traverse City. Secretary-Treasurer—C. J. Paige, Sag- inaw. Problems Ahead of the Shoe Dealer. Written for the Tradesman. While the war was going on a good many retail shoe dealers and men in other branches of the trade not only sighed for the coming of peace, but spoke of that inspiring event as if its consummation would immediately solve all problems and remove all difficulties incident to the on-going of business. “Peace” came to have a sort of Utopian significance. And everybody seemed to feel and_ be- lieve that if we could somehow hold out until peace was declared, the whole situation insofar as the shoe industry is concerned, would at once clear up. Two months have elapsed since the armistice was signed, and the peace delegates are packing their grips, and the armies are well on in the great task of demobilization, but our dealer problems haven’t been solved, and ideal conditions haven’t come about in our industry. Before us there is a period of reconstruction. Involved in it is much work, many problems, and great difficulties. And it is going to take time, patience, and efficiency of a very high order to bring about what may be termed “normal” conditions. And when I use the phrase “normal conditions,” I do not mean the dupli- cation of conditions existing prior to the war. I am firmly of the opinion that many things are going to remain permanently changed. We _ have learned some valuable lessons in this war; and it would be a pity if they should be forgotten. But we will get back to settled conditions. In other words we'll strike our post-bellum stride. We’ll understand better how to merchandise shoes under the con- ditions that have at present been stabilized. A Virile Industry. Take the shoe industry as a whole, no one can deny that it has proved itself to be full of virility. It has faced drastic situations in that twelve to eighteen months. It has imposed upon it unparalleled restrictions. It has had to work out problems within most definitely circumscribed limits. It has almost, one might say, been singled out and penalized. (The author is not saying this in a critical spirit, but just stating the way the situation appeared. No doubt excel- lent justification could be set up by the War Industries Board for all that was done.) But in spite of these restrictions, the manufacturers went on making salable shoes; and retail dealers passed them on to the public. Per- haps the most drastic of all these restrictions—the ~ classification of shoes in their several grades, with maximum prices for each grade—has been removed. And no doubt the rest will be as soon as practicable. But the hearty co-operation given to the Government by shoe manufac- turers, jobbers, and retail dealers, and their optimism and determination to go ahead; and their triumph over enormous difficulties—all go to prove that the great American shoe indus- try is a living, growing, resourceful and unbeatable thing. This being true, the writer has no doubt that other conditions which may develop later on will not serious- ly impede the progress of this great American industry. Need of Careful Buying. But these remarks have been of a somewhat general nature, and not especially directed to the retailing end of the business. What fF shall now say relates to the dealer and his programme for the reconstruction period upon which we are just entering. Of one thing I am firmly con- vinced; and that is that the retailer should exercise great care in his buy- ing for next season. It is doubtless true that most of the failures in the retail shoe busi- ness are traceable to mistakes in buy- ing—wrong styles, too many styles, too much at one time, Dealers should be very careful now, both as to what they buy and as to the size of the order. There is no doubt that a so-called sellers’ market was created in the realm of footwear largely by dealers bidding up the price, They were a little too keen. Some one says that they were try- ing to “buy up all the shoe leather in the universe.” It was a mistake. Everybody sees it now. But having made the mistake once, why turn right around and repeat it? Buy carefully and conservatively. Some one has suggested that a dealer should cut his order down to eighty or even sixty per cent. of his reasonable need, basing his estimate on the previous season's sales records. And there are good arguments back of this proposition. For one thing, factories will not be swamped with work; and they can take more time on their shoes, get them out in better shape. and get them delivered more nearly at the time promised— a reer ominmr oaceinerseennch nnnvsshenttpensn encasement creates business for you. F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Co. Milwaukee, Wis. | nate i R. K. L I It is this publicity that Honorbilt Shoes i" get for you. They make people talk fl i! about you in a way that PLEASED customer who boosts for your store gives you the most valuable advertising attainable. ! Do You Like This Snappy Last? Immediate Shipment Will Be Made No. Price 2844—Havana Brown Kid MCGRAW. 22. $4.50 2846—Havana Brown Chrome TRdia 3.< 205.20... 3.90 2848—Black Kid McKay..... 4.35 2851—Havana Brown Calf .. 4.00 Widths Cand D Sizes 3 to 8 on all above numbers. Order at Once Rindge, Kalmbach, Logie Company Grand Rapids, Mich. R. K. L. R. K. L. 10 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 16, 1919 a very important item. And then, for another thing, they’ll be less likely to have serious labor troubles if their hands are not tied by exces- s ve orders. One can always get shoes on re- order, or from in-stock departments, or jobbers. And there may be swift style changes or even reversals, and the dealer may want to run in some fliers or specials. There are a whole lot of things that might develop unexpectedly. Maintaining the Present Standards. Now that the war is practically over we may expect very shortly a great hue and cry for cheaper foot- wear. But it isn’t going to be very much cheaper in the near future. It can’t be. And the people who are expect- ing shoes at the old prices—I mean shoes of similar grades—are doomed to disappointment, But there'll no doubt be a world of inferior shoes made to retail some- where in the neighborhood of the old price; and they’ll be made to look as much like them as it is possible to make a cheap shoe resemble a shoe of higher grade. And many people will fall for them, and many dealers will make the mis- take of aiding and abetting the con- sumer. Thereby merchandising difficulties will arise. It’s a bad policy. Help to maintain present standards. Insist upon getting the money the shoe is worth. Prove to your customer that it is a good buy—sell shoes not so much a pair, but on the basis of months’ wear. Eight dollars of to-day’s money is worth only about five and a half of several years back. This is not fancy, it is a fact. Use it in convincing your customer that you are not profit- eering; that you are a creature of cir- cumstances just as he and everybody else is. By letting down the bars you'll miss the real benefits of one of the best things the war has brought to the retailer—the opportunity of get- ting more nearly what a good pair of shoes are worth, as compared with other wear goods. Cid McKay. —_+~-.___ Call for Beaded Handbags. During the past week calls for beaded handbags have been so num- erous that it was necessary for one of the makers to dispose of a large part of his sample line so that he might meet the needs of his cus- tomers. Miser bags are very popular at present. These bags are a repro- duction of the ones used several years ago with the exception that they are larger and more elaborate. They are knitted and interwoven with steel beads and retail for about $40 each. The lines of beaded bags that are now being shown embrace many new patterns, including Chin- ese, Arabian, and Egyptian. —_2-2___ Many a man who sets out to place something on a_ solid foundation, only succeeds in putting jit on the rocks, Looking After the Dye Industry. In accordance with the suggestions made by Professor Taussig some time ago, the United States Tariff Commission has drafted a bill cor- recting certain defects in the tariff provisions regarding the imports of dyes. Those provisions were hur- riedly prepared in 1916 to protect the new and expanding lot of industries based on coal-tar products. The oc- casion for the haste was to reassure the capitalists who were putting money into the ventures. It has since been discovered that, while the measure as it stands will accomplish its purpose so far as concerns the dyes that are easily made and are produced in large quantity, it will not serve to prevent German com- petition in the more complex prod- ucts whose manufacture here is es- sential if a self-contained dye indus- try is to be established. In the bill that has been drafted, provision is made for having colors standardized, so as to stop concentrated dyes com- ing here at a rate of duty intended for those diluted to commercial strength, and also to check any at- tempts by the Germans to import their stuff under labels or designa- tions purporting to show them as products of some neutral country. The bill has the merit of being based on knowledge derived from a thor- ough study of the situation. It has also the support of the textile inter- ests, which in former years, although demanding protection for their own products, vigorously resisted all at- tempts to secure the same for dyes which they wished to buy in the cheapest market—that is—or was— Germany. —_—_—2_a When the Year Is New. We're asked to tell you if we can What's really new. Since time began Each year rolls round in the self-same way And yet we say it’s ‘new’ to-day. It’s the same old earth, and the same old sun That have turned or shone since Adam won The lovely Eve in the garden fair— Men still woo maids as he did there. The summers come and the summers go The springtime follows the months of snow. The robins bid the North good-bye When the sun hangs low in the Southern sky. What is there then that’s really new The coming year like those passed through Will have night and ‘day, and warmth and cold Just like the years have had of old. And so it truly seems to me What years have been the next will be; Seed time and harvest will come and go We save the seed to have more to sow, And the world moves on in the self-same way With the day and night and the night and day, Nor nothing new nor nothing strange Save in my heart there comes a change. I once did live to myself alone And added to what I yet did own Nor ever thought or little cared How well or ill my neighbor fared. There came the Christ long years ago And told us how the wheat did grow “Except a grain of corn” saith He “Fall in the ground and die ’twill be Of naught and truly nothing worth But fruits when buried in the earth.” ‘Twas said of old—yet new to me— And newer still it seems to be That as a man so nations too Must seek some sacrifice to do, And when Christ’s word is understood They too—like man—shall serve, do good. The one great lesson the war makes true Is the League of Nations—we call it new. But when it’s all well understood It’s the Master’s plan of brotherhood. So nineteen-nineteen may appear To you and me as a real New Year. Charles A. Heath. A polite man never meets a stranger. A Good Year Ahead Every indication points fo a record breaking business year. Good crops are needed and good prices assured. 7 The enormous requirements of the stricken ' : European countries to rebuild means that big demands will be made on the business of this country and they will be met. Great demands have been made on our factory during the past few years. mands we have moved fo our new location with more room and much better facilities. organizing for a much greater production. All our enlisted employes find their old position open to them and we are taking on more work- men as our plans require. H. B. HARD PAN and BERTSCH Shoes will be produced on a bigger and broader scale. In- . creased production and larger buying power will : give better values for the money. The business building qualities for you in these lines are be- coming stronger day by day. Capitalize them to their fullest extent. Herold-Bertsch Shoe Co. Manufacturers of Serviceable Footwear To meet these de- GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. We are “BULLSEYE” | | BOOTS | } BLACK OR RED Which Grand RapidsShoe & Rubber ©. The Michigan People It Be? sn Sm $3.50 ia Grand Rapids eee Pilsen Fee eee eT in January 15, 1919 Late News From the Saginaw Valley Saginaw, Jan. 14—H., Webster, Proprietor of the Elkton meat market, at Elkton, reports -his son, Henry, who is located at Camp Tray- erse, Texas, in splendid health. The latter has been on guard duty along the border for the past 17 months. Wonders will never cease. A. W. Markle, the Thumb _ representative for Symons Bros. & Co., of Saginaw, took a week’s vacation to pack up his household effects and hired the mov- ing van to haul them to Mayville. Then things begin to happen. The drayman refused to make the trip, owing to the bad roads. Then it was decided to pack the furniture and ship by rail. The furniture man who was to do the packing was called the following day to embalm three bodies in preparation for burial. However, not to be outwitted, Mr. Markle decided to ship without packing and had the car placed and went down to load. Upon investiga- tion, the car was found to be in bad shape. This was too much, so right there and then he returned to the house and after a quiet (?) little talk with the Mrs., it was decided that Bad Axe was a pretty good place to live in after all. Here’s wishing you a bumper 1919, Mr. Markle. John Golley, of Gagetown, spent a part of the past week with friends in Detroit. Mr, Golley is in the grocery and confectionery business. W. A. Galloway, of Caro, is the new representative in the Thumb dis- trict for the National Biscuit Co. out of Detroit. Mr. Galloway was in the employ of A. Merideth., grocer, prior to going on the road. Rex Reiner, former representative in this territory, has been placed on the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor district, living at Ypsilanti. Seth Davis, one of the organizers of the Symons Bros. Co., wholesale grocery and for many years promi- nent in Saginaw business and political circles, died last Thursday at his home 1007 South Jefferson avenue, after an illness of about three months. Mr. Davis was largely in- terested in the Symons company and was a partner in the Spangler & Davis produce and commission house, and was for several years a member of the city board of public works serving for a time as chairman of that body. He was a veteran ot the Civil war and at the time of his discharge from the service bore the rank of first lieutenant. Seth Davis was born July 13, 1840, in Richmond township, Macomb county and lived there on his father’s farm until 1863 when_he enlisted in Company ‘A of the Michigan Provost Guard. He spent the summer as a member of this organization in the upper penin- sula and then, with a commission as a second lieutenant, was ordered south in October. From that time on he saw active fighting until the end of the war, winning his promo- tion to first lieutenant on the field of battle, After the war he returned to Macomb county and in September, 1867, was married to Miss Lois Gil- hert of Davenport. Ia. To them four children were born. of whom three survive: Mrs. Frank W. Perry of Saginaw: Mrs. Nellie B. Davis of Davenport, Ia., and Harry G. Davis of Saginaw. After spending several years on a farm in Armanda town- ship, Macomb county, Mr. Davis and ~ his family lived for a year in the vil- lage of Armada, where he conducted a*hotel. In 1883 the family came to Saginaw and Mr. Davis soon after- ward helped organize the present Prosperous wholesale grocery firm of Symons Bros. & Co., and later the Spangler & Davis Co. Mrs. Davis died Tulvy 5, 1908. On June 30, 1909, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Em- ma P. Tibbetts of Armada. Macomb county, who survives him, with one child, Marian Elizabeth, One sister, Mrs, E._D. “Henderson of Saginaw, MICHIGAN TRADESMAN also survives him. Mr. Davis was a member of the First Baptist church. E. L. Heller, proprietor of an up- to-date bakery and confectionery at Cass City, recently underwent an operation for appendicitis. He is do- ing nicely. Mr. Heller came home from the officers’ training school at Camp McArthur, Texas, the first week in December. The business has been kept up in splendid shape by Mrs. Heller. Martin Kissel, former druggist on South Michigan avenue, Saginaw, is now with the army of occupation in Luxemburg and enjoying the best of health, according to a letter recently received by his brother, Otto Kissel, of this city. H. S. Barker, of Cass City, former- ly in the employ of E. W. Jones, prominent Cass City grocer, is now traveling for the National Biscuit Co. out of Detroit. Mr. Barker is made of the stuff that should bring him success in his new calling. Paul Wachner, of Pigeon, has pur- chased the meat market of Charles Wright, Pigeon, the later selling out owing to poor health. Mr. Wachner conducted a market in Gagetown for several years. His ability and per- sonal acquaintance should bring him success. Walter Stimbauer, member of the official family of the National Grocer Co., Saginaw, has received his honor- able discharge from the S. A. T. C.,, at Mt. Pleasant, and is again at his desk. Gordon French, grocer at Chesan- ing, was in Detroit the past week on business. R. G, Moffitt, general manager of the Symons-Moffett Wholesale groc- er Co., Flint, is very ill with influen- za. He is under the care of a nurse. Mr. Moffitt has a host of friends who wish him a speedy recovery. Man is a failure when he lets a day go by without making some one happier and more comfortable. Fel- low travelers, especially do I wish to call your attention to the calls of mercy from the Armenians and Syr- ians. “Give until it hurts,” then give a little more. A. H. Burke, general merchant at Chesaning, was called to New Lon- don, Ohio, last week on account of the death of his brother, Walter. Deceased had just received his dis- charge from the army. Before en- tering Uncle Sam’s service he was practicing law in Cleveland, Ohio, and had a very bright future before him. He was single. W. C. Dunlap, member of the S. A. T. C, of Mt. Pleasant, is now home, having received his discharge. Mr. Dunlap manages the general store owned by his mother at Bridge- port. D._A. Bentley, general manager of the D. A. Bentley Co. wholesale pro- duce house, was in Toledo and Chi- cago on business last week. Mrs. J. E. O’Keeffe, who has been ill at the home of her parents at Monroe since the holidays, where she went for a visit. is now back home at 537 3rd avenue, Detroit. Her hus- hand is a very popular member of the Lee & Cady sales force of Detroit, covering the Michigan Central North in the Lapeer district. With the trade he is just plain “Jess” and en- ioys the good will of all who know him. Mrs. J. R. Sanborn, of Chesaning, was injured recently by a fall, but is recovering nicely. Her husband is a member of Sandborn & Cummings, provrietors of the West End grocery. Fellow travelers and especially U. C. T’s, get busy and boost, boost. boost for the Retail Grocers’ State convention, to be held here Feb. 18, 19 and 20. Let’s help make it the biggest event from a business standpoint in the history of the organization. Charles Christenson, West. Side grocer, is at the head of the local as- ‘sociation and this fact-alone ‘should: give you assurance that things will be done right. The retail grocer is coming face to face with problems which can not be solved by individ- uals and, as an association, much can be and will be accomplished to the benefit of not only the members but the retail trade at large. You can assure every merchant with whom you come in contact that Sag- inaw will welcome them and every- thing will be done to give them a pleasant and profitable time while in our midst. Convention particulars later. Man is a failure when he is so busy doing work that he has no time for smiles and cheering words. Loyal U. C. T.’s New Year Pledge. Know all men by these presents that I, a member of the greatest commercial army in the world, am going to. do what I can for the up- building and furtherance of the great and noble cause for which it stands. 1. I am going to attend all meet- ings in the year of our Lord 1919. 2. Dll pay my dues and assess- ments, either in advance or promptly, as they fall due, thereby helping the secretary to more fully perform his duties and help make his work 2 pleasure and not a worry and a task. 3. If I am called on to perform a duty, I will not shirk it if within my power to perform same. 4. I will lay aside all il] feelings toward my fellow man. None of us are perfect. I want to forget and for- give and ask others to do likewise. And may all misunderstandings and unwise deeds performed the past year be of the past, dead and for- gotten. May it be so willed. that when the first meeting night comes (which is Jan. 18. the coming Saturday night) I may he found at Foresters’ Temple, gathered there with the other 322 members of old No. 43, all resolved to make this year the greatest in the history of Saginaw Council. Boys, if you will but take on this 1l spirit I assure you your officers will do their part. Truly the past year must have been discouraging to them, but the war is over, the influenza epi- demic is fading away, so let us all be thankful that we are alive and put those dark days behind us by present- ing ourselves as a living sacrifice to the great cause and by so doing in- crease the rays of the great light that shines across our paths, “The Ray of Hope.” Be sure and be on hand Saturday night and pledge yourself to get one new member the coming year. The great war is over, so let us start a little war of our own on the non-members within our bounds. Let us show the same fighting spirit the Yanks used so effectively against the Huns, and when the smoke has all cleared away every man eligible will be a member of Saginaw Council. A U, C. T. is a failtire when he does not care whether a fellow trav- cler becomes a member of the Great Commercial Army or not. Are you -a failure? See you Saturday night. L. M. Steward. —_2-~._____ The Casualty List. Written for the Tradesman. For every name that’s in the list The Allied nations must insist A penalty that befits the act That caused the loss by broken pact. For every wounded man or vacant chair There must a black mark be placed there To show the suffering man: endured Before the last to kill was cured. For every house, for every farm, For every form and kind of harm. A penalty so bitter keen They'll wish the war had never been. Joseph Meinrath. ——_+-.___ Make it easy for people to buy once they enter your store, by hav- ing all goods marked in plain figures. The mysterious price tag belongs to the dark ages of storekeeping. Pre-War Service is what we shall try and give you in 1919. As to your Rubbers, if you want the GLOVE BRAND it will be necessary to detail your orders early. You that have demanded this befter grade of rubber know that even in peace time the demand exceeds the sup- ply. Order early and avoid disap- pointment. Our salesmen are now out. Hirth-Krause Company Tanners and Shoe Manufacturers Grand Rapids - - Michigan 12 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN January 15, 1919 veppeeubaad yoda > | a Ample Reason for Cheerful Outlook Regarding Future. Written for the Tradesman. That the cheerful outlook for 1919 indicated in the financial articles in the Michigan Tradesman were justi- fied appears from a continued expres- sion of optimism on the part of the great industrial and financial leaders of the country. This is further cor- roborated by the opinion of Detroit financiers and members of the Detroit stock exchange. Notwithstanding the decline in bond prices during the last two weeks and the generally un- settled state of the market, influenced by the heavy liquidation in Liberty bonds, most of the large bond houses are making plans to expand their business during the year. Dealers expect this year to be the greatest for the sale of bonds in history, It is pointed out that more than twenty million persons in the United States purchased Liberty bonds, whereas prior to the war the number of bond buyers was in the neighborhood of 300,000. It has also been noted that many persons who bought Liberty bonds are replacing them with in- vestments yielding a larger return, and that enquiries are being received from persons in all walks of life. In this connection attention is called to the fact that prominent bond houses are offering a diversified list of se- curities, including railroad, industrial, public utility and short time bonds, as well as a full line of municipals, the latter being attractive because of the freedom from all taxation. This has become a_ prominent feature. owing to the large increase in taxa- tion on investments on account of the war. Of special interest to Michigan is the sugar situation because of the prominence of that industry in the State. According to the statement of the President of the American and Cuba Cane Sugar Co., the shelves of the largest consumers of sugar are empty. The statement further says that apparently the world has a suf- ficiency in sight for its 1919 needs, as with favorable conditions good crops generally are promised. Aside from Europe, countries like Argen- tina, Australia, Mexico and Japan have good sized requirements to be filled, the scarcity of tonnage at present acting as an obstacle in free dealings in those quarters, but this difficulty will, undoubtedly, be soon overcome by the Government release of ships. There is no question but that a large part of the Cuban crop will be exported to Europe, either in the shape of raw sugar or as re- fined from the United States, There seems little likelihood of much in- crease in the world’s production, for the reconstruction of destroyed beet sugar properties and the development of new cane projects will take time. Attention is also called to the fact that at this season, with large crops generally in view, comment is heard about the over-abundance of sugar; but with a commodity of such univer- sal use and with a heavy prospective demand in sight, there seems small reason to fear an undistributed ac- cumulation at the season’s end, It is confidently predicted that the low price of sugar existing before the war has gone for many years to come, along with low price of fertilizers, materials, freight and all other factors entering into the manufacture of sugar. There will have to be re- adjustment of prices of such articles before the price of sugar will come down. With this state of affairs the outlook for the Michigan beet sugar industry and the sale of their securi- ties is decidedly cheerful. The General Motors Co. being in its holdings, really a Michigan cor- poration, it is interesting to note that it is about to sell 240,000 shares of its common stock, which will add $28,320,000 to the cash in its treasury, This company, like others in the same line, is only preparing by a large addition to its working capital for a period of big demand for automo- biles and trucks. A good deal of surprise has been expressed at this action. It is, however, explained that in taking over the Chevrolet and United Motors but little cash was received by the General Motors Co. In fact, so far as the Chevrolet is con- cerned, it received none at all. This, of course, meant that if the same ex- pansion in selling methods were to be followed as were carried on by the Kent State Bank Main Office Ottawa Ave. Facing Monroe Grand Rapids, Mich. Capital - - - ~- $500,000 Surplus and Profits - $700,000 Resources 10 Million Dollars 3 i Per Cent Paid on Certificates of Deposit — The Home for Savings When the tion wave strikes your reconstruc- business, will you be drifting or will you be anchored to some strong, friendly bank? Our Resources of $15,030,383.31 stand as evidence of the business friendships which this bank has earned since 1853. F. A. Gorham, Jr., will be at this bank Tuesday of each week prepared to give service to any customer on matters relating to the Income Tax. We Have Every Banking Service You Need Se ees a = S HE naming of the Grand Rapids Trust Company as Executor and Trustee means that you will bring to the settlement and management of your estate the combined judgment and busi- ness ability of its officers and directors. The most competent individual has only his own experience and knowl- edge to qualify him. This Company offers your estate the collective knowl- edge and experience of its officials. ASK FOR BOOKLET ON “DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROPER- TY” AND BLANK FORM OF WILL. [RAND RAPiIOS [RUST [‘OMPANY OTTAWA AT FOUNTAIN BOTH PHONES 4391 Safe Deposit Boxes at Three Dollars Per Year and Upward sega 0 7 Bicone nse E ‘ : f i January 15, 1919 other companies controlled by the General Motors Co., additional work- ing capital would be necessary. The new money, it is understood, will be used largely in building up the Chev- rolet and the United Motors. Trading upon the lack of informa- tion of the average layman as to the usages in buying and selling bonds, financial sharks in Detroit have been robbing those who are compelled to sell their Liberty bonds.: These sharks quote the market price on bonds, which the ordinary seller ac- cepts in good faith, not knowing that it is his or her right to clip the coupon when the interest is due and payable, The shark therefore takes the bond, coupon and all, cashing the coupon and sticking the cash in his pocket, in addition to the commission charged for cashing the bond. Reput- able bond houses in buying Liberty bonds, or any other bonds, pay the market price of the bond, accrued interest to date, and then deduct the legitimate commission for the trans- action. It has been stated by some of those who have been fleeced in that way that when the coupon was cut off the dealer said the bond was mutilated and was worth $5 less than the market price. There have been many poor people victimized in this way in Detroit, as well as in other cities. The Detroit Stock Ex- change has taken the matter in hand in an endeavor to put a stop to these illegal practices. It would be well to educate the people in this respect and advise them to sell their Liberty bonds through only reputable jnvest- ment bankers and brokers who will give them a square deal. In the interests of justice it is to be hoped that the business interests of Michigan will co-operate with manu- facturers of the country in advising their representatives in Congress to pass the Dent bill, with needed amendments, legalizing payments to contractors for war work through existing Government organization, Recently more than 250 manufactur- rers, involved in $1,500,000,000 can- celled war contracts and employing MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 2,000,000 workers, met at Cleveland to form a permanent organization dedi- cated to hastening settlements with the Government. At that meeting it was pointed out that prime contrac- tors could not settle with sub-con- tractors until the latter’s claims had been adjusted and approved. Delay in doing this will result in bank- ruptcy for the smaller contractors who are illy financed. These men accepted the work in good faith, per- formed their part honorably and it would be a National disgrace to have them suffer, and in many cases be financially ruined because of Govern- ment red tape. It is the duty of every business man to take cogniz- ance of the situation and create such powerful public opinion as will com- pel Congress to take prompt action to remedy the matter. Paul Leake. ———_>-~~.___. Consolatory. “They say men of brains live long- er than others.” “Don’t worry; you may be one of the exceptions to the others.” ——_+--.+__ “One other President than Wilson traced his line to Carlisle, England; for Zachary Taylor was fifth in de- scent from James Taylor, of Car- lisle, who emigrated to this country in 1658. Considering the fairly uni- form British extraction of our Presi- dents, few indeed could have gone to the homes of really near ancestors in the British Isles. Andrew Jack- son is the only one whose father was born there, the elder Jackson having come from Carrickfergus, Ireland, a decade before the Revolution. Grant is not particularly distinguished in that his family had been American in all its branches for eight genera- tions; as much could be said of oth- ers. It seems appropriate that the first President in office to visit the mother country feels so intimately the ties of blood that originally gave it the name of mother country. ————
22>____
Protest Payment of Notes to Univer-
sal Stores Co.
Edmore, Jan. 9—The farmers in
this vicinity are in a Universal store
at Six Lakes and it is not what it
was represented to be and I think we
will stand them a suit. I was referred
to you. Will you please let me know
by return mail what you know about
it? Some of the notes have been
paid and some are due now. Let us
know all you know about the Univer-
sal Stores Corporation.
J. E. Berry.
To this letter the editor of the
Tradesman made the following reply:
Grand Rapids, Jan. 10—My under-
standing of the matter is that the
concern you enquire about is a scheme
to inveigle the farmers into purchas-
ing stock which is more likely to be
profitable to the promoters than it is
to the stockholders.
As farmer, you undoubtedly signed
the notes in the belief that you were
going to put the other merchants out
of business and monopolize all the
profits they had heretofore enjoyed.
While you would send them to the
poorhouse, you would wax fat on the
margins they had previously used to
keep up the schools and churches,
maintain their own homes and edu-
cate their children. You have evi-
dently found that the profits of the
mercantile business are not so allur-
ing as you thought they were; that
possibly some one secured ‘a large
block of stock in the corporation
created to monopolize the trade of
Six Lakes at a less price than you
were supposed to pay for your stock;
that possibly the management has
not been up to your expectations;
that you wish now you had never
pledged your name to such an under-
taking, but had confined your efforts
to growing more grain and_ stock,
for which there is a strong demand
at most lucrative prices. Such being
the case, and assuming that you are
a man of honor who believes in
maintaining the integrity of his own
signature, I advise you to pay your
notes in man fashion, charge your
experience up to being mistaken in
your estimate of merchants and their
methods, pocket vour loss, if any,
and hereafter confine your activities
and investments to undertakings you
understand and which are promoted
by your friends and associates, instead
of Chicago schemers, E. A. Stowe,
rn
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Written for the Tradesman.
“Turn out the light, please’’—thus in
the dark
Engaged his soul with eternal things
And he who'd loved to lions hark
Did sleep, heaven bourne of angel
wings.
Was it his to know of stress and strife
Nor unessayed the battlefield?
Was it his to know of dangers rife
When cowards only dared to yield?
Of ferocious beasts was he the one
Where fever grows and perils thrive
Lone compassed ‘neath a torrid sun
To find the lairs—return alive?
A plainsman too of early days
Where cattle range and coyote howl,
The cowboys’ friend and ever stays
With the herd at night when raiders
prowl.
Or bolder still he laid his route
O’er mountain, plain, and farther on,
‘Till followed clear the Stream of Doubt
To where it meets the Amazon.
The assassin’s lead had sought his harm
Yet unrestrained he could not rest
For his country’s hour gave him alarm
And louder spoke the wounded breast.
A Nation’s Head and scholar too,
Philanthropist and patriot,
The Panama he deep cut through
The sunken Maine he ne’er forgot.
A shortened life!—’twas but three score—
Yet lacks it naught of sacrifice
World Leader ’till the war was o’er
Then falls asleep—Who says he dies?
Charles A. Heath.
—_+->—___
Entire Product Sold Yearly in Ad-
vance,
While the canning of pineapple in
the Hawaiian Islands is not com-
pleted until well toward the end of
December, and data we have received
on this was from estimates made up
a number of weeks before the close
of the pack, the indication is for a
total pack of canned Hawaiian pine-
apple for 1918 of 3,800,000 cases. This
is for this commodity an enormous
output, which will be recognized
when compared with last year’s pack
of 2,618,768 cases and the largest
pack prior to this year, which was
that of 1915, of 2,690,000 cases. De-
spite the large canning of pineapple
in Hawaii Territory this year, the
product was in such demand that dis-
tributors were practically sold out as
soon as they opened prices, and at
good values.
From a beginning but a compara-
tively few years ago of but a very
few cases, the industry being a well
established and recognized one when
this output was 10 per cent. of the
present production or less, this prod-
uct has rapidly advanced in volume
of output and sales demand. The
value of advertising in creating a
consumer demand for food products
is nowhere better illustrated than
with the case of canned pineapple.
The industry was in the dumps and
the product going begging for want
of demand at profitable prices not
many years since, with an output of
somewhere around 250,000 cases an-
nually. The demand jumped spec-
tacularly, almost overnight, and in-
creasing production in which the
output was doubled or more year af-
ter year for several years, followed
immediately upon the general nation-
al advertising campaign undertaken
by a combination of the manufactur-
ing factors in this line a few years
ago, Now,- with almost 4,000,000
cases a year, the product is sold out
in advance of its being packed, at
prices named entirely by the packers
themselves, based upon their costs
and necessary distributing and profit
charges, ;
4
‘.
a
e
January 15, 1919 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 15
4
\
ee
@”
Every merchant needs the protection a complete
N. C. R. System will give him
Peace is bringing increased competition
in your business.
You must meet that competition. You
cannot afford to run the risk of losing a
single cent of profit.
A modern National Cash Register and an
N. C. R. Credit File will enable you to’
get all your profits on every transaction in
your store.
Because—
@ They will make it possible for you
to run your store with the least expense.
@) They will prevent the mistakes and
disputes which cause loss of trade.
@) They will enable you to give custom-
ers the quick, satisfactory service which
wins new trade.
@® They will give you the accurate
records which you need to control your
business.
©) They will protect your money, your
clerks, your customers, and yourself.
THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, Dayton, Ohio
Offices in all the principal cities of the world
Old registers repaired, rebuilt, bought, sold, and exchanged
16
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
January 15, 1919
SUDDEN SUMMONS.
Harold Sears and Ray Parker Killed
in Wreck.
While returning from New York,
where they boarded the Wolverine
at 5 o'clock Saturday evening. Har-
old W. Sears, Manager of the Grand
Rapids Dry Goods Co., and Raymond
C. Parker, piece goods manager for
the same house, were instantly killed
at South Byron, a suburb of Batavia,
N. Y., about 3:36 Sunday morning.
The accident was wholly avoidable,
due to the carelessness cf the en-
gineer of the train which smashed
into the Wolverine, collapsing the
wooden Pullman in which the Grand
Rapids passengers were sleeping. Jf
the car had been a steel coach, in-
stead of an old fashioned wooden car,
no one would probably have been
fatally injured. Both bodies were
badly mutilated, but were identified
by Mrs. Parker and Mr. Neuman,
who proceeded to the scene of the
wreck as soon as possible after no-
tification.
Harold W. Sears.
Harold William Sears was born in
Grand Rapids Nov. 28, 1885. He at-
tended the public schools until he
completed the eighth grade, when
he spent five years at the Montclair
Academy, Montclair, N, J., from
which jnstitution he graduated on the
literary course in 1905. He then en-
tered the employ of the local branch
of the National Biscuit Co., where
he spent about three years in the
mechanical department, learning
every detail connected with the man-
ufacture of baked goods. In-1908 he
went on the road for the house. On
the retirement of Walter K. Plumb
as manager, in 1911, he succeeded to
that position, retaining it until Nov.
15, 1916, when he resigned to take
the position of Treasurer and Man-
ager of the Grand Rapids Dry Goods
Co., tendered him by the directors of
that corporation. Finding the busi-
ness of the company in a chaotic and
archaic condition, he proceeded to re-
organize the business from the
ground up. With as little day as
possible, he strengthened and en-
larged the traveling force, in the
meantime making the followin:
changes in department managers:
In the piece goods department Wil-
liam B. Holden was succeeded by
Ray Parker, who had covered Cen-
tral Michigan territory several years
for Marshall Field & Company.
In the notion department Charles
Fasoldt was succeeded by George
Sergeant, who has had many years’
experience.
Charles W. Sergeant, who has had
charge of the hosiery, underwear and
knit goods department for several
years, was given charge of the over-
all and men’s furnishing goods de-
partment, until a few weeks ago,
when the latter department was
placed in charge of Frank J. Seibel.
In the book-keeping and credit de-
partment Frederick W. Greulich was
succeeded by Frank J. Neuman.
John A. King was taken off the
road and installed as house salesman.
The result of these radical changes
and others of a hardly less important
character soon became manifest in
the increased volume of business
which came to the house, due to the
enlargement and diversification of the
lines of goods carried, the addition of
many new customers and the increase
of the average bills sold old custom-
ers, which may be attributed, to some
extent, to the fact that every travel-
ing salesman showed his full line to
every customer he called on every
time he called. In other words, the
day of “order takers” was passed, so
far as the Grand Rapids Dry Goods
Co. was concerned. Every man on
the road for the house is now a
salesman and measures up to the
definition of the word with singular
exactness. Leaving the trunks at the
depot and calling on the trade with
a few samples over the arm is a thing
of the past. The books have been
closed on half way method and ship-
shod practices when Mr. Sears took
charge. From that time on the trade
—every member of the dry goods
trade in this territory—was called on
regularly and ample time accorded
each customer, present or prospective,
to make his selections under the
most approved methods.
In the meantime the stock was re-
arranged and reclassified, new fixtures
added and the institution started on
a new career along more modern and
up-to-date lines.
Mr. Sears was married Oct. 5, 1912,
to Miss Katherine Barnard Goodman.
Three boys have blessed the union,
one about 5 years old, one 3 years
old and the other about 3 months old.
The family reside at 333 Washington
street and worship at St. Mark’s
church. Mr. Sears belonged to the
B. P. O. E., but did not do much at
it. He had no other fraternal affilia-
tions, his home possessing more at-
tractions for him than all the lodges
and clubs in the world.
Mr. Sears combined in his mental
make-up two important family traits
—the steadfastness and conservatism
of his grandfather and the progres-
siveness and driving qualities of his
father he is not. worth raising—mean-
if a son is not a better man than his
father he is not worth raisng—mean-
ing, of course, that the son, being
heir to better educational advantages
than his father and having his fath-
er's example before him, ought to be
able to find himself and “arrive,” so
to speak, at an earlier age than his
father did. Both of Mr. Sears’ im-
mediate ancestors began life under
less favorable auspices than the sub-
ject of this sketch and both were
slower in attaining the goal of their
ambition than Mr. Sears had _ been.
Arguing from this hypothesis, Mr.
Sears clearly demonstrated that he
was “worth raising.”
Mr. Sears was a man of pleasant
address, charming personality and
courteous demeanor. He was a care-
ful student of the theory of business
as applied to the manufacture and
distribution of merchandise in the
most economical and effective manner
and he had well defined ideas along
these lines which time, experience
and observation § crystallized into
fundamental principles. He deliber-
ately espoused the wholesale dry
Our 1919 line is now ready and our salesmen will
start calling on the trade about February 1.
We bespeak for our representatives and our-
selves the hearty support of the trade in our en-
deavor to give them the best goods which long
experience and ample capital can produce.
The Perry Glove & Mitten Co.
Perry, Michigan
we
fy
wd
ey
January 15, 1919 MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 17
SERVICE QUALITY
The Outlook For 1919
Current Conditions and Probable De-
velopments Briefly Outlined for
the Benefit of the Trade
Now that war has ceased, the civilized nations of the
earth have started in on the most prodigious plans of
reconstruction the world has ever seen.
Viewed from the standpoint of the dry goods trade
our advice to our customers is to keep their stock com-
plete, but not buy so lavishly as to make it top-heavy in
any department.
Wages are phenomenally high and will continue high 1
until the cost of living is reduced, when wages will fol-
low the law of supply and demand.
Under these circumstances, retail sales volume, es-
pecially in dry goods and department stores, bids fair
to increase.
Retail sales totals have, of course, been swelled by
the advance in prices. This promises to continue and to
such an extent that a concern will be running behind if
its sales are not materially ahead of those of previous
years. There will also be opportunities, however, for
Harold William Sears increasing retail sales totals through increase in the
quantity sold.
a! There will be changes in the character of the de-
mand. The practicability as well as the durability of
the article will have weight with consumers. It will be
more difficult than heretofore to increase the sales of
luxury merchandise. The production of such goods will
be curtailed in other ways.
Retailers find it necessary, because of slow produc-
tion and transportation, to buy certain items further
ahead, and, hence, in larger lots than usual. As far as
possible, however. they are avoiding anything that savors
of speculation.
Everything, naturally, is subject to sudden change.
Some industries will suffer, others gain by the return of
peace. Certain industries have been held back during
the war, and these, in all probability, will experience a
boom. The entire country, for example, has become
notoriously under-built. The building industry, there-
fore, should afford a vast outlet for steel, lumber, con-
crete and other materials, as well as great opportunities
for labor. Consideration must also be given to the buoy-
ancy of spirit which the war's close will impart to all
our citizens. Among the merchandise lines likely to be
among the first to benefit in consumption are clothing
and home furnishings of various kinds, whose renewal is
now being put off.
Grand Rapids Dry Goods Co.
Exclusively Wholesale
Grand Rapids Michigan
Raymond C. Parker
QUALITY SERVICE
sii an a ea ee ee eee eee So Ea a ee i aaa = ie
18
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
January 15, 1919
goods business as a life work, be-
lieving it to be an undertaking
worthy of the best thought and most
painstaking effort which a man could
give a business he liked and in which
he expected to achieve a high degree
of success. That his efforts would
have been richly rewarded and that
he would have gradually assumed a
commanding position in the trade,
none of his friends doubted for a
moment.
Raymond C. Parker.
Ray Parker was born at Barnes-
ville, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1882, being one
of a family of four children. His
father was a Quaker. [lis mother
was of Irish descent. There is a tra-
dition in the family to the effect that
the senior Parker loved a good horse
and on one occasion was prevailed
upon to enter his steed in a country
“hoss trot.” His good friends of the
Quaker church were so horrified over
the circumstance that they dropped
his name from the church roll. When
9 years of age the family removed to
Columbus, where Ray attended the
public schools of the city, including
two years in the high school. His
first employment was in the whole-
sale dry goods house of Green, Joyce
& Co. as stock boy. He proved to
be so apt in this department that he
was promoted at the end of the first
year to the position of house sales-
man. Eighteen months later—and
before he was 18 years of age—he
was placed in charge of sample trunks
and started out on the road to repre-
sent the piece goods department in
Northern Ohio territory. Green,
Joyce & Co. were good people, but
Mr. Parker aspired to represent the
largest dry goods house in the coun-
try and, in pursuance of this ambi-
tion, a year later found him cover-
ing Southern Michigan for Marshall
Field & Co. He continued this con-
nection fifteen years. Seven years
ago he was placed in charge of the
Grand Rapids office and made general
line salesman. He maintained an
office in the Ashton building, but
spent most of his time on the road
calling on the large trade of nearby
cities, His long connection with the
piece goods line caused him to be
regarded as one of the leading author-
-ities on dry goods staples in the
country. He studied that branch of
the business with singular fidelity, su
that he thoroughly understood every
in and out of the business. During
his connection with Marshall Field &
Co. he resided in Grand Rapids thir-
teen years, the other two years hav-
ing been spent in Kalamazoo.
Having won all the honors which
could come to a road salesman, Mr.
Parker felt that he would like to ally
himself with a wholesale dry goods
house in the capacity of manager of
the department he understood sv
well. The retirement of William B.
Holden from the Grand Rapids Dry
Goods Co. afforded him the oppor-
tunity he craved and two years ago
he was duly installed in that estab-
lishment as buyer and manager of
the piece goods department, which
grew rapidly in importance and use-
fulness under his administration. He
laid plans which enabled him to
amplify and diversify the stock to
such an extent that it took rank with
that of any establishment of the kind
in the country.
Mr. Parker was married about sev-
en years ago to Miss Hazel Petti-
bone of Cincinnati. They reside at
1045 Franklin street.
Mr. Parker was a member of Grand
Rapids Council, U. C. T., and the IIli-
nois Commercial Men’s Association.
He had no other fraternal affiliations,
finding his chiefest pleasure in the
home hearthstone.
Mr. Parker was an adept in the
but seldom indulged
that dissipation. His
was dry goods and he was
never happier than when booking an
order or explaining to his friends the
trend of the market in his favorite
Ine.
If there is one personal character-
istic, more than another, which dis-
tinguished Mr. Parker, it was his
aim to keep busy every moment. In
the store he never idled away a mo-
ment’s time. He was never without
some work on his desk, but the mo-
ment a customer put in an appearance
he immediately undertook to see that
his wants were supplied. If the cus-
tomer desired piece goods, he receiv-
ed the close personal attention of the
manager of that department. When
he was ready to be shown goods in
other lines, Mr. Parker saw to it per-
sonally that the customer was quickly
and quietly delivered into the custody
of the other department managers.
This was in striking contrast to the
former custom prevailing in the
house, which was to turn all custom-
ers over to youthful clerks, who did
the best they knew, but seldom sat-
isfied a customer as the head of a
department could do. The faculty of
keeping busy which Mr. Parker had
carefully cultivated for many years
was apparent the moment he reached
home at night. The lawn mower or
sprinkling apparatus was brought in-
to action as soon as the evening meal
was completed, to the end that every
hour of daylight might be properly
utilized. Mr. Parker acquired this
habit early in life and he had never
permitted it to lapse.
Mr. Parker was a gentleman of
commanding appearance and good
address. He inspired confidence by
his frankness, both in action and ut-
terance. He made friends easily and
retained them permanently. In his
new connection he would have been
able to carve out a career for himself
which would accurately reflect the
measure of his ability and the height
of his ambition,
piscatorial art,
h-mself in
hobby
Genuine Mapleine Syrup
made with sugar, water and
Mapleine is
A Real Saving
and a delicious spread for hot
cakes. A trial will please your
customers.
Order from your jobber or
Louis Hilfer Co., 1205 Peoples
Life Bldg., Chicago, Ill.
Crescent Mfg. Co.,,
(M-347) Seattle, Wash.
SOUND CRATING LUMBER
200,000 ft. 24 inch 6 to 20 ft. Pine Fir and Larch (Rocky
Mountain Cypress)
100,000 ft 6 inch 6 to 20 ft. Pine Fir and Larch (Rocky
Mountain Cypress)
200,000 ft. 8 to 12 inch 6 to 20 ft. Pine Fir and Larch ©
(Rocky Mountain Gypress) :
Can Rip, Resaw or surface as required. Shipment
anywhere. Priced tomove. Write or wire.
Get Your Money
BELLS. notes and accounts collected. H.C.
Van Aken, Lawyer, 309 Post ——
Battle Creek, Mich. Reference—any
in Battle Creek.
GAYNOR LUMBER CO., Sioux City, lowa.
OUR OWN MAKE
HAR Hand or Machine Made
Out of No. 1 Oak leather. We guarantee them
absolutely satisfactory. if your dealer does not
handle them, write direct to us.
SHERWOOD HALL CO., LTD.
fonia Ave. and Louis St. Grand Rapids, Michigan
We are manufacturers of TRIMMED AND
UNTRIMMED HATS for Ladies, Misses and
Children, especially adapted to the general
store trade. Tria! order solicited.
CORL, KNOTT & CO.. Ltd.
Corner Commerce Ave. and Island St.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
rt Te bee
ORAND RAPIDS. MIC
Bell Phone 596 Citz. Phone 61366
Joseph P. Lynch Sales Co.
Special Sale Expe: ts
Expert Advertising —Expert Merchandising
41So Ionia Ave. Grand Rapids. Mich.
Washing on Wintry Days
—is often dangerous for your customers. If
they use ordinary soaps, perspire over steam-
ing washboilers, and then go out in the frosty
air, they are very apt to take cold.
FELS-NAPTHA SOAP
eliminates this risk. No boiling water is nec-
essary. Fels-Naptha saves fuel and health.
Push Fels-Naptha Soap. There isn’t a
product in your store that gives customers
greater satisfaction.
Pa.
Chocolates
Package Goods of
Paramount Quality
and
Artistic Design
The Book That
Takes the Risk
Out of Buying
For many years ‘OUR
DRUMMER”’
guaranteed prices has been
with its net
famous for taking the risk
out of retail buying. This is
more than ever the case now
in these unusual times. It
not only makes buying se-
cure from the price stand-
point, but it removes uncer-
tainty in the way of getting
goods.
this book are huge open
Back of the prices in
stocks of the merchandise it
advertises.
Butler Brothers
Exclusive Wholesalers of
General Merchandise
New York Chicago
St. Louis Minneapolis
Dallas
Hallmark Shirts Produce Profits
Hallmark Shirts offer a merchants opportunity.
A good line of HALLMARK SHIRTS are a mighty im-
portant factor in any store.
Not alone for the immediate
profit resulting from their sale, but the merchant who has
a fine selection of these goods will bring customers to
his store.
| Quality Merchandise—Right Prices—Prompt Service |
Paul Steketee & Sons
WHOLESALE DRY GOODS
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
ih...
wei hese choi eo case DN ITSE oom
pin
—-
beet
SEP spi ai
PS
rN,
aca
January 15, 1919
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
Seine CR SLD
Sea Nae
Proper Reading Matter for the Very
Young.
A library for children under three
—that is what I am thinking about
now. Perhaps you haven’t thought
of reading to very, very little chil-
dren, Perhaps you are one of those
mothers who think the education of
a child ought to begin “when he is
old enough”’—say at the age of five.
Well, at the age of five you are
rather more than five years behind-
hand.
The education of a child begins—
well, I’m not going to fall back again
on Dr. Holmes and say it begins with
wisely selected great-grandparents;
but it begins whenever you begin to
be interested in the child; say nine
months or so before he is born. The
development of that specific child,
physically, mentally, spiritually, be-
gins somewhere about that time. At-
firmatively, it begins, so far as your
voluntary participation is concerned,
whenever your interest begins. And
I content myself with talking about
his education after you get him in
your arms.
You want him to be a well-rounded,
well-educated and cultured man—or
woman, as the case may be. It is a
long look ahead, you may think as
you look at the little bundle of po-
tentialities; but time moves very,
very fast, and opportunity gets away
from you before you know it. The
same opportunity never knocks twice
at the same door.
Education through play—that is
Froebel’s motto: sometimes I think
it is the whole secret of education.
Anyway it is pretty much the whole
secret of the baby’s education. And
it begins right off. You begin to
speak to him; he responds with smiles
and gurgles of delight, little hands
waving aimlessly. You sing to him;
that pleases him. Music, as I have
said so many times, is most essen-
tial; soothing, stimulating, respond-
ing to the natural rhythm, harmoniz-
ing—music is not qa sentimental fad,
but an absolute necessity for the
normal development of the child.
Your songs are the child’s first
books. He will get them from you
and in the kindergarten to which you
will send him presently. Help him
to learn the words of the verses that
go with the song, and to understand
them,
Just a few minutes every day look
at pictures with him; be sure that
they are good ones, well colored,
not too fine in detail. Let most of
them be pictures of animals and
other things that he has seen—cats,
dogs, horses, cows, birds. Kate
Greenaway’s “Mother Goose” and
“Under the Window” are both ar-
tistically illustrated and contain many
simple jingles. Select carefully
another edition of Mother Goose
stories. One good collection is
“Mother Goose and Favorite Fairy
Tales,” arranged by Logan Marshall
and published by John C. Winston
Co., Philadelphia.
When a child is little read only
the jingles connected with his simple
interests; do not push the little brain.
Little stories about the things he sees
every iday on the street or in the
home will naturally follow. “The
Three Bears,” “Three Little Pigs,”
“The Cock and the Mouse,” and “The
Little Red Hen” will early delight
him.
When the child is two and a half,
he will ask many questions concern-
ing things about him; these you can
answer best by getting books for
yourself—you will have to step lively
to keep up with that active and grow-
ing brain.
Children love simple animal stories
—it is a universal trait of childhood.
“Through the Barnyard Gate,” and
“Finger Plays,” and “Child Stories
and Rhymes,” by Emilie Poulsson
(Lothrop) are all excellent.
Frobel says in one of his “Mother
Plays”:
The interest a young child gives
To every animal that lives,
Dear Mother, is an open door
Through which unbounded good may
pour,
Filling his mind with knowledge
manifold
Of Nature’s wondrous Laws, so new,
so old.
Could anything be nicer for
children than the “Peter Rabbit” and
“Benjamin Bunny” books, by Beat-
rice Potter? These are in such
small size that the children feel they
are their very own. I know children,
pretty well grown, who still pore
over the pictures—long ago they
learned the stories by heart.
“Cat Stories,” by H. M. Carter (the
New York Century Co.), is a very
simple, delightful book, full of stories
about Pussy. There are many en-
chanting bird books for children:
none better than those of Olive
Thorne Miller. Nature appeals to
even a small child.
Lucy Fitch Perkins has produced
charming books for little children,
illustrated by herself anid published
by Houghton Mifflin Co. Books on
farm life and life on the seashore
are legion—select carefully. Boyd
Smith has written some good ones.
Mrs. R. E. Peary’s stories of “The
Snow-Baby” are written for young
children, “The Adventures of a
Doll,” by Nora Archibald Smith
(McClure), is a facinating tale.
One could go on at great length.
Separate description is superfluous:
“The Enchanted Forest,” by Mary
Raymond Shipman Andrews.
“Tommy Trot’s Visit to Santa
Claus,” by Thomas Nelson Page.
Jane Andrews’ books—“Each and
All,” “Seven Little Sisters” (these
come a little later, and so does Hans
Christian Anderson).
“Fifty Famous Stories Retold,”
by James Baldwin.
“Old World + Wonder Stories,”
edited by Prof. M. V. O’Shea.
“In the Child’s World,” by Emilie
Poulsson.
“A Kindergarten Story Book,” by
James L. Hoxie.
Poems. of Stevenson, Eugene
Field, James Whitcomb Riley.
You will want to watch your baby
and see how he takes the pictures
and little stories. Not all children
are alike, and you must use your
common-sense. You may be going
too fast for him, or you may not be
going fast enough. If you study
him carefully you will know when
to hold back and when to give him
richer food. You will be surprised
and delighted to see how fast his
mind expands under the right treat-
ment.
Never give even a very small child
trash either to look at or to hear—
any more than you would give him
poor stuff to eat. There is plenty
of first-class art and literature, even
for very little children, and it is
?
19
if possible, more important below
six than afterward that the food of
his mind should be the best you can
get.
You will be helped in your selec-
tion by such books as Frances Jenkins
Olcott’s “The Children’s Reading”
(Houghton Mifflin) and Orton
Lowe’s “Literature for Children”
(Macmillan),
“There is no academy on _ earth
equal to a mother’s reading to her
child,” says Scudder. A thousand
men of great mind are proofs of the
truth of that. Prudence Bradish.
Self-possession is nine points with
the lawyer.
Stevens & Co.
Special Sales
Men who know how to raise
money for you.
Telephone 8655 or write
927 Dorchester Ave.,
Grand Rapids, Mich,
COLEMAN 8rand)
Terpeneless
LEMON
and Pure High Grade
VANILLA EXTRACTS
Made only by
FOOTE & JENKS
Jackson, Mich.
"TUF
packed kind.
from leakage is less.
F GLASS” HEXAGON CARTON
LAMP CHIMNEYS
PORTER POTTERY CO., Inc.
““Most Merchants Like to Sell
Goods That Won’t Come
Back, to Customers
Who Will”
PORTER’S
MARK
Will give your customers more and better ser-
vice than two of the ordinary “common” tube
Your per cent of profit is larger and your loss
Your local jobber has them.
Clinton, Ky.
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
January 15, 1919
1))))
- =
= >
> :
oF
a
5
a
g
Z
g
—
Z
©
S
e 4 .
t s
ee : s
= ec ae
mT
24> ee ley
4
\-
AG ti
=
ae
S
u
=
LW
wn
2 e
BS)
[Bs
Michigan Poultry, Butter and Egg Asso-
President—J. w toc. Jackson.
Vice-President—Patrick Hurley, De-
ge and Treasurer—D. A. Bent-
ley, Saginaw.
ixxeculive Committee—F. A. Johnson,
Detroit; H. L. Williams, Howell; C. J.
Chandler, Detroit.
California Will Produce Rice Under
Protective Duty.
Restoration of the former duty of
2 cents a pound on Oriental rice will
be made the subject of an appeal to
Congress by the Pacific Rice Grow-
ers’ Association through representa-
tives of the association, and the sec-
retary of the California Rice Com-
mittee of the Federal Food Adminis-
tration is preparing statistics of the
rice growing industry on the Pacific
coast for the purpose of presenting
the facts in Congress. Secretary
Merry states that while the Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi and other
Southern States rice growers’ associ-
ations have as yet taken no action
toward urging the restoration of the
former tariff on Oriental rice, he was
assured of their energetic co-opera-
tion in the matter, particularly as any
encroachment of the Oriental rice
growers upon the legitimate market
territory of the California growers
would necessitate the California
growers in turn entering the trade
territory of the Southern States
growers in order to matket their
crops. The California rice crop this
year is approximately 125,000 acres,
with an estimated yield of thirty 100-
pound sacks to the acre, as com-
pared with 900,000 acres in the South-
ern States with an estimated yield of
twenty 100-pound sacks to the acre;
an approximate total of 1,025,000
acres of rice in the United States
yielding, it is estimated by the Pa-
cific Rice Growers’ Association, 21,-
750,000 100-pound sacks. California’s
present rice acreage will be increased
to a minimum of 250,000 within the
next two years, according to the
growers and millers.
Increase in Egg Production From
Artificial Lighting.
T. R. Johnson of the poultry de-
partment at Purdue University issues
the following bulletin in regard to
the modern system of stimulating
egg production by lighting the hen
houses with electricity:
“Chickens have no union organiza-
tion and lengthening of working
hours only serves to make them more
industrious and produce more eggs.
This statement is borne out by an
experiment in progress at Purdue
University in which electric lights are
used morning and evening.
“Two pens of 35 white Leghorn
hens are being fed the same ration.
The chickens are as near alike as
possible and have practically equal
laying abilities, One lot keeps good
hours, arising and going to roost with
other chickens on the university
farm. The other lot is being “kidded
along” with an electric light which
burns from 6 o'clock in the morning
until all the light the day is going
to bring is at hand. The lights are
‘urned on again about 4 o'clock and
allowed to run until about nine in
the evening.
“This causes the chickens to arise
earlier and work later. The experi-
ment started Nov. 1 and in the first
30 days, birds in the lighted pen pro-
duced 503 eggs, while the short day
advocates laid only 352. Thanksgiv-
ing day the lighted pen yielded 28
eggs and the unlighted only 16.
“A pen of 25 barred rocks respond-
ed to the electric lights within 10
days. They were started Nov. 18,
laying only five eggs that day. On’
Nov. 27 they produced 20 eggs and
have been going at that pace since.
“*The other evening I was at the
farm and saw those in the lighted
pens still outside the house scratching
in the ground at 5.30, while the other
birds had been in bed an hour,’ said
one of the men in the poultry depart-
ment.
“The lighting costs 61%4c. a day a
pen, or $1.95 for November. The in-
creased egg production for that time,
figuring the eggs worth only 5c.
apiece, meant $7.55, a profit of $5.60
for the one month alone.”
ee
Sardines and Whale Meat Fisheries
In California.
Sardines are now running again
along the California coast, following
a period when but few were taken
Canners in the Monterey Bay dis-
trict view with apprehension the
forthcoming activities of the Califor-
nia Sea Products Company, which
has erected a whaling station at Moss
Landing and which is preparing to
hunt whales on a large scale. It is
the belief of cannery men and of
fishermen in general that whales
drive the sardines into Monterey Bay
and the whale hunting will have a
serious effect on the catch of sar-
dines.
—_2---____
No Reduction in Cigars in Sight.
The United Cigar Stores Co. is
paving the way for a continuance of
present prices for its wares, making
the following announcement:
“The available supply of leaf tobac-
co, from which all grades of cigars
are made, is depleted the world over,
and we vision no immediate reduc-
tion either in the cost of raw material
or in other items of manufacture.”
E. P. MILLER, President
F. H. HALLOCK, Vice Pres.
FRANK T. MILLER, Sec. and Treas
Miller Michigan Potato Co.
WHOLESALE PRODUCE SHIPPERS
Potatoes, Apples, Onions
Correspondence Solicited
Wm. Alden Smith Bldg.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Onions, Apples and Potatoes
Car Lots or Less
We Are Headquarters
Correspondence Solicited
Vinkemulder Company
GRAND RAPIDS
=: MICHIGAN
{
The United Agency System of
Improved Credit Service
Unirep A\Gercy
ACCURATE - RELIABLE
UP-TO-DATE
CREDIT INFORMATION
GENERAL RATING BOOKS
now ready containing 1,750,000
names—fully rated—no blanks—
EIGHT POINTS of vital credit
information on each name.
Superior Special Reporting Service
Further details by addressing
GENERAL OFFICES
CHICAGO, - ILLINOIS
Gunther Bldg. - 1018-24 S. Wabash Avenue
Signs of the Times
"Are
Electric Signs
Progressive merchants and manufac-
turers now realize the value of Electric
Advertising.
We furnish you with sketches, prices
and operating cost for the asking.
THE POWER CO.
Bell M 797 Citizens 4261
WE BUY AND SELL
Beans, Potatoes, Onions, Apples, Clover Seed, Timothy Seed, Field
Seeds, Eggs. When you have goods for sale or wish to purchase
WRITE, WIRE OR TELEPHONE US
Both Telephones 1217
Moseley Brothers, RAND RAPIDS. MICH.
He. Buy We Store
GGS GGS
We Sell
GGS
We are always in the market to buy FRESH EGGS and fresh made
DAIRY BUTTER and PACKING STOCK.
interests to communicate with us when seeking an outlet.
Shippers will find it to their
We also offer
you our new modern facilities for the storing of such products for your own
account.
Write us for rate schedules covering storage charges, etc. WE
SELL Egg Cases and Egg Case material of ail kinds. Get our quotations.
KENT STORAGE COMPANY,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
SERVICE PI O WATY QUALITY
Largest Produce and Fruit Dealers in Michigan
rarrell’s
All Nut Margarines are NOT alike.
Nut Masti Farrell’s A-1 brand has stood the supreme test.
rarrell’s
Nut Marciane
(The summer test.)
M. Piowaty & Sons of Michigan
MAIN OFFICE, GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
Branches: Saginaw, Bay City, Muskegon, Lansing, Jackson, Battle
Creek, Kalamazoo, Mich., South Bend and Elkhart, Ind.
January 15, 1919
Oleo Prejudice and Trade Sociology.
Food Commissioner Foust of Penn-
sylvania is making a strange applica.
tion of this prejudice in his logic for
maintaining a high license fee for
selling oleomargarine at retail. In
Pennsylvania a grocer selling oleo
at retail must pay $100 for a license
and naturally the smaller and less
elaborate stores are unable to handle
the product. With oleo greatly im-
proved in quality of late and the de-
mand stimulated greatly by the high
cost of butter, there is a movement
on foot to eliminate this tax and al-
low more people to carry the “poor
man’s butter.”
But Mr. Foust opposes any reduc-
tion. He says that the fewer retail
dealers there are in the oleo selling
the more the trade will be in high-
grade hands and less fraud and irreg-
ularity will exist in its sale. His op-
ponents want the tax reduced to $10
a year—enough to cover the mere
cost of supervision to prevent fraud—
and then let every one sell oleo who
will, Of course, with a widespread
distribution and a little trial of the
stuff, much of the prejudice would
probably vanish.
ee
Community Stores Collapse.
What lesson is taught by the fail-
ure of Community Stores, Inc.? The
same lesson which other people have
learned when they tried to float sim-
ilar schemes, that it is hard
enough to keep a body of retailers
moving interestedly and concertedly
even when they are welded together
in a tight association; but it is im-
possible to keep up interest and ef-
ficiency when there is no union.
There was a sort of union among the
members of the Community Stores,
but it was loose and only in name.
There were no officers who amounted
to anything in the sense of being
known to and influential with the
members; there were no meetings;
there were no organization plans;
there was virtually nothing except a
$10 yearly due and an agreement to
sell certain goods at cost when
bought at cost. This, as it happened,
was not enough; the scheme died for
lack of the thing called interest.
Viz:
Anothet New Meat Substitute.
As a result of the follow-up work
done by the Massachusetts State
Agricultural College at Amherst and
the Department of Agriculture, a
Berkshire county farmer has evolved
a new meat substitute in the form of
cottage cheese sausage.
The sausage, which resembles in
flavor that made from pork, is made
from cottage cheese, bread crumbs
and nut meats and is seasoned with
herbs. Its food value is said to be
nearly equal to pork sausage. This
appetizing substitute for meat was
originated by the dairy division of the
Department of Agriculture to further
. the use of cottage cheese.
Just Can’t Take Smell from Lim-
burger Cheese.
The Wisconsin makers of cheese
who held their annual convention at
Milwaukee last week, decided that it
is impossible to deodorize Limburger
cheese.
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
The University of Wisconsin has
tried many stunts with cheese, and
among them was the announcement
two years ago that an attempt would
be made to produce a non-smelling
limburger. All experiments failed
the dairymen say.
“It’s this way,” H. A. Kalk, the
new Vice President of the Associa-
tion, said: “Limburger is a German
cheese that has never been American-
ized. It just cannot be done.”
Another cheesemaker, whose name
is of German type, but whose Ameri-
can sentiment is unqestioned, said:
“Limburger is just like Germany—
you just cannot take the stink out of
ste
SS eaERIEEe oe
Two Questions Grocers Must Act
On.
Cadillac, Jan. 14—The annual Con-
vention of the Retail Grocers and
General Merchants Association of
Michigan which takes place at Sagi-
naw in February promises to be one
of vital interest to growers generally,
as many subjects affecting them must
be settled, and no grocer in the State
should miss this opportunity of ex-
pressing himself as to whether he
favors coming under the Public
Health Department to a greater de-
gree than now.
It has been the custom of whole-
salers to assume responsibility for lost
goods in transit, but the time has
come when the retailer must make
his own claims for lost goods, and
the question should be disposed of
in the most practical and fair way.
These questions must be answered
with as little delay as possible and
grocers should not only go to the
convention but should also be pre-
pared to express their opinions relat-
ive to the wisdom of this class of
legislation. J. M. Bothwell.
Money Saved by Buying Your
EGG TESTER
S. J. FISH CO.,
Knox Sparkling Gelatine
A quick profit maker
A steady seller Well advertised
Each package makes
FOUR PINTS of jelly
A Quality Cigar
Dornbos Single Binder
One Way to Havana
Sold by All Jobbers
|
Pleased
Customers —
Profitable
Business
Peter Dornbos
Cigar Manufacturer
16 and 18 Fulton St., W.
Grand Rapids = Michigan
Ask
Your
Jobber
Write for catalogue. Jackson, Mich.
Ask about our way
BARLOW BROS. Grand Rapids, Mich
Arsenate of Lead, Paris Green,
Arsenate of Calcium, Dry Lime Sulphur.
Our prices will interest you.
Reed & Cheney Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan
The sugar restrictions have been
lifted. That means a bigger sugar
business for you. All the more
reason for selling
Domo
Package Sugars
These machine-packed cartons and
cotton bags are always ready for
your customers. They save time,
spilled sugar, overweight, short
weight, and the cost of paper bags
and twine.
American Sugar Refining Company
**Sweeten it with Domino”
Granulated, Tablet, Powdered, Confectioners, Brown
Watson-Higgins Mlg.Co.
GRAND RAPIDS. MICH.
Merchant
Millers
-_ by Merchants
Products sold by
Merchants
Brand Recommended
by Merchants
New Perfection Flour
Packed In SAXOLIN Paper-lined
Cotton, Sanitary Sacks
MOORE'S
D.U. Brand of Vanilla and Lemon Flavoring
Is one of the many grades of Vanilla and Lemon
Extracts or Flavors we make. For general use
we recommend you to consider our D. U. BRAND
for the following five Big REASONS—
(1) The largest bottle consistent with quality.
(2) Tastes “Just a little better."’ >
(3) Positively guaranteed against heat or cold.
(4) Consumers get into the habit of asking for this brand.
(5) Grocers find it increases their sales and attracts new customers to the store.
If you are selling this brand, you know the above is true. If you have
never sold our line, try it and you will be convinced.
THE MOORE COMPANY, Temperance, Mich.
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
January 15, 1919
Michigan Retali Hardware Association.
President—John C. Fischer, Ann Arbor.
ee enon. W. Leedie, Mar-
sha
Tartar J. Scott, Marine
City.
Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit.
Perambulators Offer Possibilities to
Hardware Dealers.
Written for the Tradesman.
The perambulator—English “pram”
colloquial “baby buggy’—is not
always a part of the hardware dealer’s
stock. The dealer who enters this
line of business has to compete with
the furniture store.
Yet there is no reason why the
man who sells implements on wheels
to the farmers, and buggies and car-
riages to the grown ups and express
wagons for active boys should not
also cater to the steady, persistent
and never-failing demand for vehicles
especially designed for the little
strangers. Hardware dealers here
and there, realizing this fact, have
featured perambulators to advantage.
There are now a wide variety of
styles to be had, but the main lines
may be classified as full-size buggies
for little babies, go-carts for older
children, and convertibles—articles
that, with a deft twist of the wrist
may be converted from the one use
to the other. Whether these lines
can be handled to advantage in the
hardware store depends, of course,
on the individual conditions. They
will tie up some money, for a fairly
comprehensive line must be shown;
and they will require some floor
space. For the line is one that cannot
be handled to the best advantage
without adequate display. The dealer
too, should know his line thoroughly.
Often it will be possible to secure
orders from catalogue, where a com-
plete line cannot be carried owing
to space considerations. The main
thing in this connection is to know
the various lines, and where you can
get the wanted article the quickest.
Of the dealers who do handle baby
buggies, however, very few give much
attention to the repair department.
This is a department which can be
made quite profitable, for a family
of growing youngsters can speedily
supply the repairer with plenty of
business. As a rule, however, the
dealer—to whom the purchaser natur-
ally resorts when anything goes
wrong—rarely carries repair parts in
stock. If he can find a nut or a
thumb-screw that fits, he hands them
to the customer and lets the latter
make shift as best he may. If a
more important part is required, the
dealer sends in an order, which after
tedious delay in some instances, will
probably be filled, But it is the ex-
ception for the dealer to seriously
attempt to cater to this sort of
repair work.
Nevertheless, the very fact that
few hardware dealers give attention
to this work supplies the reason why
such a department is apt to attract
trade. The fond parent realizes
pretty keenly the shabbiness of the
two-year-old buggy which has lost
one or two rubber tires, has several
spokes bent, and whose parasol re-
fuses to hold whenever a spring
zephyr comes along. And _ said
parent is usually willing to spend a
little money in putting things to
right. His sole difficulty usually is
to find someone who will do a good
job.
The hardware dealer who handles
bicycles and does bicycle repair
work can very readily take care of
repairs to perambulators as well.
But little extra equipment or stock
is required. A small but compre-
hensive assortment of parts should
be stocked; this, and the necessary
equipment for repairing hard rubber
tires represents practically the entire
investment. The only other essen-
tial is a man in charge with sufficient
mechanical skill to do a good job
with reasonable speed. Where bicy-
cle repair work is not handled, it is
often possible to select some member
of the staff with an aptitude for this
class of work to take charge of the
repair department, doing the work in
the quiet hours which he can spare
from the counter.
The hardware dealer who under-
takes to handle a department of this
sort should not rest content with
the orders that come to him unsolic-
ited. The department is one capable
of considerable development. The
dealer should keep a list of the peo-
ple who have bonght baby buggies
from him, secure whenever possible
the names of people whom _ have
bought elsewhere, and these can he
reached by circular. If a spring
house-cleaning circular is sent out, or
a winter “varnish and interior finish”
talk, a few paragraphs can be readily
inserted calling attention to the
store’s facilities for handling baby-
buggy repairs of all sorts. Regular
newspaper space can also be used
occasionally to good advantage,
while little local reading notices at
appropriate seasons are sure to
catch the eye of the person most
interested.
The department jis one worth fea-
turing; for in addition to the direct
returns, it is sufficient of a novelty
in most communities to attract more
than passing attention. The fact
that So-and-So’s hardware store is
the only place in town where you
can get a baby-buggy properly re-
paired will draw to So-and-So’s store
a great many people who will linger
to buy other things. To feature the
unusual is always good advertising.
With the perambulator, as with the
bicycle, a feature should be made of
the spring overhauling, Unlike the
bicycle, the perambulator is usually
in commission all winter, except
where snow is deep and sleighing
continuous; but the fact that jt is
continuously in use is all the more
reason why, when spring time comes,
a complete overhauling is needed.
The enamel may require renewing,
the axles will inevitably need to be
cleaned and oiled, here and there a
spoke should be straightened, and
there are always little breakages or
incipient breakages that require fix-
ing. Then, too, winter is hard on
rubber tires, and a buggy with just
Sand Lime Brick
Nothing as Durable
Nothing as Fireproof
Makes Structures
Cool in Summer
Brick is Everlasting
Grande Brick Co., Grand Rapids
So. Mich. Brick Co., Kalamazoo
Saginaw Brick Co., Saginaw
Jackson-Lansing Brick Co. Rives
Junction
eC
SANITARY REFRIGERATORS
For Ali Purposes
Send for Catslog
McCRAY REFRIGERATOR CO.
944 Lake St. Kendallville, Ind.
OFFICE OUTFITTERS
LOOSE LEAF SPECIALISTS
Co.
237-239 Pearl St. .aear th nringe, Grand Rapids, Mich.
WM. D. BATT
Hides, Wool, Furs and Tallow
28-30 Louis St.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Special Sales
John L. Lynch Sales Co.
No. 28 So Ionia Ave.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
SIDNEY ELEVATORS
Will reduce handling exvense and speed
up work—will make money for you. Easily
installed. Plans and instructions sent with
each elevator. Write stating requirements,
giving kind machine and ‘size platform
wanted, as well as height. We will quote
a money saving price.
Sidney Elevator Mnfg. Co.,
Sidney, Ohio
Jobbers in All Kinds of
BITUMINOUS COALS
AND COKE
A. B. Knowlson Co.
203-207 Powers’ Theatre Bldg., Grand Rapids, Mich.
Foster, Stevens & Co.
Wholesale Hardware
wt
157-159 Monroe Ave. _ ::
Grand Rapids, Mich.
151 to 161 Louis N. W.
Michigan Hardware Co.
Exclusively Wholesale
Grand Rapids, Mich.
e
January 15, 1919
one defective tire is little better than
the old fashioned, metal-tired equi-
page.
The hardware dealer should aim to
turn out the refurbished buggy or
go-cart to all intents and purposes
as bright and easy-running as new.
Strictly speaking, “as good as new”
is an ideal impossible of realization;
but an efficient workman, properly
equipped with parts, varnishes and
polishes, can go a very long way
toward the ideal. The appearance of
the finished job is the repair man’s
best advertisement.
The spring overhauling feature
will generally cinch orders for what
little repairs are required for the
balance of the year; while when the
time comes to purchase a new “pram”
the purchaser will usually go to the
man who by careful attention to
repair orders has shown that he
knows his business,
There is, in winter months, the
allied line of baby-sleighs to be
featured; while a good business can
often be done in detachable runners,
which can be used to convert a buggy
into a sleigh when the snow is on
the ground.
The hardware dealer who takes up
perambulators as an entirely new
line should, of course, study his
goods carefully, try to determine
just what lines will prove most at-
tractive to his clientele, and decide
what amount of floor space he can
allot them. Careful study of any
new line at the outset is the safest
way to minimize the mistakes inevit-
able to any new venture. The profits
will come in the long run, through
building up a reputation for giving
good service and handling the right
kind of goods. Here, as in any other
new department, it is the cumulative
results that count the most.
Victor Lauriston.
——_>--.____
Kalamazoo Convention To Eclipse
All Predecessors,
Detroit, Jan. 14—Final details are
practically completed for the twenty-
fifth annual convention of the Michi-
gan Retail Hardware Association to
be held in Kalamazoo, Feb. Th. 42,
13 and 14, 1919,
Advices reaching Secretary AF,
Scott’s desk from all parts of Michi-
gan indicate a record breaking at-
tendance at the forthcoming show.
Retail hardwaremen of the State
look forward to the meeting with en-
thusiasm at this time and many im-
portant matters bearing upon the
hardware trade will be up for con-
sideration. :
The business Programme will em-
brace subjects in keeping with the
times, focused from the standpoint
of the retail hardware trade, and an
array of capable speakers will have
these subjects well in hand. Ample
entertainment features for the dele-
gates have already been provided for
by the local convention committee
at Kalamazoo. '
The convention will be held in the
auditorium on Portage street, near
Main. The exhibits, which are more
varied and extensive than any yet
staged at an annual meeting of this
Association, will be located in the
National Guard armory and official
headquarters will be established at
the Park-American hotel.
Speaking to the Michigan Trades-
man regarding the coming convention,
Secretary Arthur J. Scott said: “TI
look for a good big attendance at
the twenty-fifth annual convention of
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
our Association in Kalamazoo next
month. It will be our silver jubilee
meeting’ and post-war subjects will
be up for consideration which will
be of vital interest to every. retail
hardwareman in Michigan. Some of
the best conventions that we have
ever held have been in Kalamazoo
and the local committees who are
jogging along on high and have been
for several weeks in promoting the
show assure me that past conven-
tons held in that city will be eclipsed
this year from every point of view.
J. Charles Ross, manager of the ex-
hibits, informs me that there is but
little booth space remaining unsold
and by the time the convention is on
he will have a list of disappointed
firms unable to get exhibit space.”
The officers of the association are
as follows:
President—John C, Fischer, Ann
Arbor.
Vice-President—George W. Leedle,
Marshall.
Secretary—Arthur J. Scott, Marine
City.
Treasurer—William Moore, Detroit.
Fred E. Button.
ees
Reasons Why Customers Leave.
“Why do my customers insist on
leaving me and dealing with my com-
petitor?” is a question asked many
times by retailers in ail lines of busi-
ness. A prominent department store
in the Middle! West recently investi.
gated the problem and compiled a
table of statistics, showing the reas-
ons advanced by individuals for
changing their trade, Letters were
written to a number of persons, of
both sexes, asking why they changed
stores. One hundred and ninety-eight
replies were received, states the house
organ of the firm which made the in-
vestigation, and the reasons advanced
were tabulated as follows:
Indifference of clerks........... 47
Attempts at substitution ........ 24
Pee 18
Teicee weeds 1s -
Drow Geuebtics «8 17
Over-insistence of salespeople .. 16
Insolence of salespeople......... 16
Jnnecessary delays in service.... 13
Tactless busines policies......... 11
Bad arrangement of store........ 9
Ignorance of clerks concerning
Onees 6
—_+--___
Statistics of immigration into the
United States during the period of
the European War, just published by
the Labor Department, show that it
reached its lowest ebb in the last
fiscal year. In the twelvemonth end-
ing June 30, 1915, 326,700 immigrants
were admitted; the next year, ending
June 30, 1916, 298,826 came in; the
next year, 295,403—that is, a number
not far from 300,000 each year. But
in the year ending June 30, 1918, only
110,618 immigrants were admitted.
Moreover, in the two following
months of July and August only
15,500 came, as against over 40,000 in
those months in 1915 and over 50,000
in 1916. Thus, in the final months of
the war a bare trickle was flowing in
the channel of what had once been a
great stream. It is noteworthy that
of the four years’ war total of immi-
gration the greatest number, about
235 000, came from the British Isles,
with the Italians—some 140,000—in
second place, and the Scandinavians
in third.
receiving his
UPPER PENINSULA.
Recent News of the Cloverland of
Michigan.
Sault Ste. Marie, Jan. 14—The Port
Royal Dock Co. is now the Pittsburgh
Coal Co. The change in firm name
was made Jan. 1. The former man-
ager, Thomas R. Falkner, will con-
tinue to be in charge of the new com-
pany.
The many friends of Dr. I. V. Yale
are pleased to see him back again,
having done his bit for Uncle Sam,
for which he received a commission
as Lieutenant. He was one of the
last men to go to camp and was gone
but a few weeks when the war ended.
He had given up his offices and prac-
tice, sold his home and household
goods and moved his family from the
Soo, but after looking around since
discharge from the
Army, he has decided that the good
old Soo is the place for him to start
in again where he will, undoubtedly
enjoy the large practice he formerly
had.
The partnership of Moore & Lee,
who conducted one of the Soo’s larg-
est soft beverage parlors, has been
dissolved, Mr. Moore taking over the
interest of Mr. Lee and will continue
the business as heretofore. Mr. Lee’s
time was so taken up in the perform-
ance of his railway duties that he had
no time to devote to his private in-
terests.
Eugene Pingatore and William Por-
kert, both well known Soo tailors,
have opened up a custom tailoring
parlor on Ashmun street, where the
needs of men and women who are
partial to high-class wearing apparel
will be met. Mr. Porkert needs no
introduction to the Soo, where he has
made many friends as an expert tailor
of ladies’ garments. Mr. Pingatore
has been in business for years and has
enjoyed a large patronage as a men’s
tailor. Both are young men and have
a bright future.
Ed. Reinhardt, of Brimley, has
bought out the grocery store of A. W.
Reinhardt and will continue the busi-
ness. Mr. Reinhardt is an experienced
merchant and will undoubtedly make
a success of the new venture.
Now that the influenza is attacking
the pigs in Escanaba, it looks as if
the sale of pork would fall off greatly
there in consequence. The efforts of
the veterinary surgeons to combat the
disease have been futile. If the flu
would only confine itself to the pigs,
we could manage to get along by
beefing it.
“Grumbling is a lot of comfort to
some men.”
Bert Bye, who for the past several
years held a responsible position with
the Union Carbide Co. here, has re-
signed to take an interest in the busi-
ness now conducted by his brother,
Fred Bye, in the Soo market. Bert is
known as a hustler and his many
friends will be pleased to see him
make a success of his new venture.
“Competition works both ways. It
is either the life or the death of
trade.” William G. Tapert.
_———— >
Boomlets From Bay City.
Bay City, Jan. 14—Last Saturday
was a red letter day for Bay Council,
because the twenty-fifth anniversary
of the institution of our Councii was
celebrated. A class of candidates was
initiated during the afternoon. The
officers of the Grand Council presided.
Several visiting brothers were pres-
ent, including Mark S. Brown and
Ben Mercer, of Saginaw. A banquet
was served at 6 o'clock, which the
ladies attended, and a party was held
at the Fellowcraft building after the
banquet and was greatly enjoyed by
those who attended. At the banquet
Mark S. Brown was toastmaster and
was in his usually happy frame of
mind and scored several hits on mem-
bers present. Several interesting
speeches were delivered, but the prin-
cipal speech of the evening was deliv-
ered by Grand Treasurer Lou Eb
Burch. It was one of the most suc-
cessful meetings held under the aus-
Pices of our Council, which was due
largely to the efficient work done by
the entertainment committee under
the leadership of the chairman, Fred
McCloy. The sad feature of this meet-
ing was the fact that a large ma-
jority of the charter members of our
Council have passed to the great be-
yond, R. S. Richards being the only
charter member present. Here's hop- -
ing he may be here to attend our
fiftieth anniversary!
Vogel & Gordon, Sterling, general
merchants, have been succeeded by
Gordon & Shearer.
Leon Guggisberg, member of the
firm of Guggisberg Bros., shoe mer-
chants, Gaylord, is dead. He visited
relatives at his old home town, Ber-
lin, Ont., and was stricken with in-
fluenza. Leon Guggisberg was a man
whom it was a pleasure to meet. He
was a man of genial disposition and
sterling character. J. H. Belknap.
———_-2~-__
SNOW-BOUND.
Written for the Tradesman.
Within, without, the garden wall
Along the street and over all
The patient hills
The scene enthrills
For snow-bound now the landscape ts
And fairy flakes form palaces.
The sight! Oh, when was it before
That wild woods e’er such beauty wore?
Where yesterday
"Twas dull and gray
And leafless birches in array
The hillside now is white as they.
And see! The black and beetling cliff
Gf yonder mount does look as if
It some imposter be
Instead reality;
And that a cloud—when the sun is fair—
Of white Carara was hanging there.
How fascinating now to look
Down through the willows where runs
the brook
Whose music still
Ascends the hill
As waters pure dance on apace
And the valley’s veil do interlace.
And was it all to bring more near
The wonders of an atmosphere
When days are cold
Nor clouds withhold
Their banks of crystal jewels rare
But drop them generously everywhere.
So with the morn we do behold
A spotless splendor—no sordid old
Decadent thing
Decrying spring
For now there. lives a brighter hope
That not ere long will snowdrops ope.
Charles A. Heath.
—_————_.-2- a
A skeleton in the closet does not
arouse much interest until gossips
hear the bones rattling.
The Valley City
Bent Knee Bob Sleighs
light, strong sleigh is needed.
1% inch, $21.00.
class sleigh.
30-32 Ionia Ave., N. W.
For Pleasure, Delivery, Express, Grocery or, in fact, any work where a
Bobs, finished and painted (no body) 1% inch, $17.00; 1% inch $18.00:
Bodies now in use can be changed to these Bobs and you have a first-
SHERWOOD HALL CO., Ltd.
hase =
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
January 15, 1919
VINE
reel
Wnneesaeg
B
‘ana
AN
BA VE nee
Grand Council of Michigan U. C. T.
— Counselor—W. T. Ballamy, Bay
ty.
Grand Junior Counselor—C. C. Stark-
weather, Detroit.
Grand Past Counselor—John A. Hach,
Coldwater.
Grand Secretary—M. Heuman, Jackson.
— Treasurer—Lou J. Burch, De-
t.
Grand Conductor—H. D. Ranney, Sag-
naw.
Grand Page—A. W. Stevenson, Mus-
kegon.
Grand Sentinel—H. D. Bullen, Lansing.
—_— Chaplain—J. H. Belknap, Bay
ity.
Time Unnecessarily Lost by Travel-
ing Salesmen.
I have been on the road twenty-five
years; ncw own a business, and travel
for myself.
The first years on the road was in
a rubber clothing business; believe |
was paid, salary and expenses, a fair
rate. The next seven years for a
New York concern, and was paid,
salary and expenses a small part oi
what I earned for them, This fact
I am positive of, for since they gave
up business I have handled the same
goods as owner, so know the large
profit I made for them. I also
learned I sold more value each year
than any two other men, and did not
receive as much pay as one of the
other men. Was I used fair?
From this experience and _ the
present position of owner, I believe
a straight commission is the correct
pay or salary for a commercial tour-
ist. Either a per cent. on sales, or
a division of profits. I would like
a good salesman now, and pay twelve
and one-half per cent. on sales, or
sixty per cent. of profits. In talking
with drummer prospects, they do not
come right out and say “I can sell
so many goods, and want so much
salary.” But ask, “How much
salary?” “How do you allow travel
expenses?” ‘How long a vacation?”
And so on.
How is the owner to know the
salary to pay, having no idea how
big a hustler he is talking with?
Now are there not other
than salary to be considered?
Is it the gross sales or net profits
that count?
Where do expenses fit in?
Time lost in stores?
things
Time lost in transportation?
Unreasonable hotel charges?
Incidental hold-ups?
When dealers delay salesmen un-
necessarily, unreasonable, uncalled
for?
Such as this: I was selling the
owner, four clerks looking on. Young
fellow came in. Owner went to him,
four clerks doing nothing. Spent
twenty minutes trying to sell a flash
battery, and did not sell it. Could
a clerk not have done as well? I
waiting, and another drummer wait-
ing after me.
Again: I entered a store at 2:40
p. m., and my train left at 3:20,
station one-half a mile away, and I
could make another town that after-
noon. The owner said to the mana-
ger, “Come on, Ed., and let’s look
at these” id. says,-“‘I’m busy.”
Owner said, “Oh, if you're selling,
we can buy at any time.” Ed was
making a fifteen-cent key, to be
called for next day.
They finished the key at last, bought
a good bill of me in fifteen minutes.
But I lost my train by fifteen minutes.
And lost the other town. And lost
a good profit.
Now, why could not the key wait
fifteen minutes?
A few mornings ago I called on
two partners at 8:20 a. m., with the
other customers to see; train left at
9:20. Both partners reading their
newspapers. I waited fifteen minutes
—lost seeing one customer, and prob-
ably lost a profit.
Some one may ask: “Why do you
hurry?”
I ask: “Why do railroads run trains
at such unreasonable times? I carry
no trunk. Ten or fifteen minutes is
all I need with most customers.”
Solution: Let the jobbers com-
bine. Have all travelers send in
daily reports of exact time lost by
unnecessary delays of dealers. Have
these reports sent to the secretaries
of their trade associations. He to
write, say once a week, to the various
dealers, reported calling their atten-
tion to having delayed drummers—
no names given; the time lost, adding
to expense and, consequently, a higher
price required on all goods.
Keep a card index of offending
dealers and when any name a number
of reports, advise the jobbers of the
association, and let them act to pro-
tect prompt buyers.
If jobbers, manufacturers and sales-
men’s associations would work to-
gether, railroad time cards could be
arranged to save time.
Hotel charges are not figured on
fair profit as to cost, but: How much
will they be held up for? One hotel
in Maine: Old wood building, no
bell-hop; pitcher and bowl; if a small
piece of meat, no egg, no milk—
$2.75 for supper, room and breakfast.
Another place in Maine—four hotels;
brick building, good table, $2 for
three meals and a room. Tips, if
kept by the guest and are not required,
as un-American, would go far to in-
crease a salesman’s salary. I have
detailed these expenses, for I feel it
is of great importance in relation to
salary.
I know that many salesmen on
salary. and expenses spend at least
double what they would if ‘paying
their own expenses. I know one man
personally who is always complain-
ing of his salary, and yet spends at
least three times as much of the
firm’s money as it is necessary.
I do not infer that one should live
in cheap, poor places, but have a
reasonable berth at a reasonable rate.
Three pertinent propositions:
1. Let the travelers
penses.
2. Let the employers increase the
per cent. of commission on either
gross sales or division of profits.
reduce ex-
3. Let both work to conserve time
on the road.
—__+-<.+__
To Cut Out the Losses.
Wife—One afternoon I win at
bridge and the next I lose.
Hub—Then why not play every oth-
er afternoon?
HOTEL STEEL
ST. JOHNS, MICH.
European Plan 75c, $1.00, $1.50
With running water $1.00. Private bath $1.50
Eat in the New Coffee Room
A Popular Priced Lunch Room
HOTEL HERKIMER
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
European Plan, 75c Up
Attractive Rates to Permanent Guests
Popular Priced Lunch Room
CODY HOTEL
GRAND RAPIDS
$1 without bath
RATES i $1.50 up with, bath
CAFETERIA IN CONNECTION
“MERTENS
Te On 8 od cD
One half block Zest |
of the Union Station |
GRAND RAPIDS MICH |]
OCCIDENTAL HOTEL
FIRE PROOF
CENTRALLY LOCATED
Rates $1.00 and up
EDWARD R, SWETT, Mgr.
Muskegon 2 Michigan
Only Brick Hotel in the City
Whiting Hotel
Traverse City, Mich.
Hot and Cold Running Water
and Telephone in
All Rooms
Rates $2.50 and $3.00
American Plan
Light Sample Rooms on
Lobby Floor Free
J. P. OBERLIN, Prop.
COURTESY SERVICE VALUE
Two Blocks From All Depots
WE ARE ACCEPTING CONTRACTS NOW FOR
1919 DELIVERIES OF
J. Hungerford Smith Co.’s
Soda Fountain Fruits and Syrups
If you have not signed up, drop us a card.
Protect yourself for next season’s business before it is too late.
Prices guaranteed against advance or decline.
We also carry a full line of Soda Fountain Accessories.
Putnam Factory Grand Rapids, Michigan
Manufacturers of
Putnam’s ‘‘Double A’’ Chocolates
TALK
Over Citizens Long Distance
, Lines
Connecting with 250,000 Telephones
in the State.
COPPER METALLIC CIRCUITS
117,000 in Detroit.
USE CITIZENS SERVICE
ae
es.
January 15, 1919
Lining Up Work For State Shoe
Convention.
Saginaw, Jan. 14—The first get-
together dinner and business meeting
of the Saginaw Retail Shoe Dealers’
Association, held in the beautiful ban-
quet room of the Hotel Bancroft
Monday night, Jan. 13, was a typical
twelve cylinder Saginaw affair and
every one of the cylinders was func-
tioning, so that the fifty dealers,
clerks and delegates from the nearby
cities, not to forget generous sprink-
ling of the boys on the road, had the
time of their lives, and see nothing
but great success for the State con-
vention which will be held in Saginaw
Sept. 25, 26 and 27.
President George E. Owens, of the
Association, presided as toastmaster
and fitted into the job in admirable
style . A fine dinner was stowed away,
some snappy vaudeville acts were im-
ported from one of the theaters and
musical numers full of pep were giv-
en by Arthur E. Jochen and others.
Oscar L. Huff, one of the delegates
to the St. Louis National convention,
reported on what he had seen at the
National show, and what had been
done in lining up exhibitors for Sag-
inaw. He said that there was a great
showing of black, whites and browns,
no colors, that there were 1,800 people
at St. Louis and that all shoe men and
manufacturers are determined to live
up to the Government regulation.
Saginaw occupies a prominent place
in St. Louis, as every one seemed to
know of its hospitality and cordial re-
ception to visitors.
About thirty exhibitors have been
secured so far for the Saginaw con-
vention. This, of course, will be aug-
mented when the convention rolls
around, The trade all over the coun-
try has heard or will hear through a
campaign of publicity of the Saginaw
gathering,
After the entertainment and ad-
dresses there was an illustrated lec-
ture in stereopticon views on “Shoe
fitting and shoe troubles.” This was
brought from Chicago by the Scholl
Manufacturing Co.
Managing Secretary Kirby, of the
Board of Commerce, sent a letter to
the shoe dealers expressing great
satisfaction at their signal success in
organization. He said that it could
not help but bring out a large num-
ber of the dealers from the smaller
cities in Michigan. This was true, as
Midland was represented by Messrs.
Heistman and Bendall, Bay City sent
down Dick Bendall and H. O. Nichols
came from St. Charles. The travel-
ing gentry was represented by Ed.
Knoop, Chas. Lacey, W. C. Krohn,
O. D. Gilbert, J. W. Moertl, F. E.
Rutledge and Mr Reynolds. It is the
intention to hold these dinners every
once in a while and to give some aa-
dress or illustrated lecture which will
be of practical. interest to the trade.
The Association has already made
itself felt in closer harmony and
mutual relations between the dealers.
C. M. Howell.
Mercantile News From the
Celery City.
Kalamazoo, Jan. 14—At a meeting
of the Kalamazoo Grocers and Meat
Dealers’ Association, held in their
rooms last Monday evening, it was
announced that the annual banquet of
the Association would be held on the
last Monday of the month, Jan. 27.
A committee on arrangements for
the banquet, consisting of Chairman
Poelstra, Hubbard, Hyma and Sa-
vile, was named and efforts will be
made by them to arrange for some-
thing out of the ordinary.
Jerry DeNooyer, who for the past
two years has been Billy Fletcher’s
right hand man, has resigned his po-
sition with a view of taking a course
of study in auto mechanics at the
Michigan Auto School, Detroit.
The Kalamazoo Trading Co. has
recently acquired the building on East
Late
Seat eeu margins aa mance ae
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
Main street belonging to the Grand
Trunk Railway, formerly occupied by
the Hanselman Candy Co., and is
giving the building a thorough over-
hauling. As soon as changes are
completed, the concern will have one
of the largest paper stock sorting
plants in Southwestern Michigan.
Ray Johnson’s market, on Portage
street, has recently undergone an-
other coat of white paint. Ray says
in order to keep his slogan of “The
spotless market” good, it requires a
new coat of paint every thirty days.
A very serious fire broke out at
about 7:30 Saturday night in the an-
nex of the Witwer Hotel, in which
two guests lost their lives, incident-
ally giving the fire department a good
chance to try out the new auto truck
and electric pumper.
George Freeman, proprietor of the
Hygienic Baking Co. on Portage
street, has introduced to the trade
this week a new loaf of bread which
bears the title on its wrapper, “Gold-
en Krust.” :
Frank Wagner, of the South Side
Delivery Service, had the misfortune
to break his arm while cranking his
ford. The accident occurred Jan. 2
and Frank is improving as well as
can be expected.
The annual banquet of the Worden
Grocer Company’s sales and office
force went off with a bang last Sat
urday at the Peninsular Club in Grand
Rapids. Sixty-four was the number
in attendance and, after enjoying a
huge feed and plenty of fine music,
the party listened to a very instruc-
tive discourse on fire insurance given
by Mr. Row and a fine talk by Editor
Johnson, of the Grand Rapids News.
(To tell tales out of school, all we
had to drink was Worden’s coffee and
a beverage they call “water.”’)
F. A. Saville.
—~++-____.
Bottom Facts From Booming Boyne
City.
Boyne City, Jan. 14—The business
and industrial life of Boyne City has
lost a very important factor in the
death of Cornelius Turner, who had
been with the Michigan Tanning &
Extract Co. since 1902, first as super-
intendent at this place and for the
past few years as division superin-
tendent of the various plants of the
corporation. A man of Mr. Turner’s
constructive and administrative abil-
ity is not easy to replace, represent-
ing, as he did, the transition from the
old slow hand work regime to the
modern high speed production. Dare
one hope that his successor may see
as great advancement in industrial
development as his generation has
seen!
Our Chamber of Commerce activi-
ties have been all shot to pieces this
winter. What with the flu, the illness
of our Secretary, E. M. Ackerman,
and various other interruptions, our
regular work has suffered, but the or-
ganization has been instrumental in
forwarding all the war activities, Our
Secretary has been a very important
factor in the successful carrying out
of the War Board work and now that
we are turning to the activities of
peace, he has a good bunch of work
lined up for the coming season.
Maxy.
—_2-2-____
Shovels and Ropes Lower.
The manufacturers of shovels an-
nounce a decline of 5 per cent. in the
prices of their product Monday.
Rope has declined 9c per pound on
account of a fight among the manu-
facturers of that staple.
———_.—2..
The announcement made a few
days ago by the American Red Cross
committee on sale and equipment
concerning the sale of surplus prod-
ucts was not intended to include
piece goods held by the organization,
as it has no such goods for sale.
The New Morality of the Wholesale
Grocer.
When the United States was
drawn into the war it was seen that
unless prevented great speculations
in food products would occur, creat-
ing an abnormal rise in prices that
might give occasion for discontent
and rioting.
Fortunately this situation was
grasped and the Board of Food Ad-
ministration was organized. Then
came the wartime food control of
profit margins and their determina-
tion. With it also came to many of
us a distinct shock that merchandise
bought and sold held a relationship
with the moral law and that profit
margins must be considered in the
light of our obligation to our fellow
men—their needs and their social
comfort.
A discussion soon arose, “Shall re-
placement value control the selling
prices or actual cost value?” Much
was said, but under the wise leader-
ship of Theodore F. Whitmarsh the
conclusion was reached that only ac-
tual cost values could meet the situ-
ation. With a sorrowful farewell to
“extra” profits the moral feature was
recognized, that taking advantage of
the necessities of others by undue
profits was unpatriotic and hindered
the successful prosecution of the war.
“How then can we make our busi-
ness pay?” became an_ interesting
question and was soon answered by
the Food Administration in the max-
imum and minimum rates of profits
on licensed food. A study of this list
is helpful.
First, consider ‘sugar—that auto-
crat of the grocery business—con-
trolling much of the active capital
and commanding that its distribution
be free from the expenses of the
business. It was brought into cap-
tivity and compelled to pay some-
thing towards its upkeep.
Can the wholesale grocer ever be
appreciative enough of this act of the
Food Administration that compelled
this royal article of food to help pay
for its distribution? Every grocer
hastened at once to add his 25 or 35
points to the price, and sugar at cost
was a thing of the past. Now that
the war is over will sugar revert to
the old method? Not if the whole-
sale grocer is wise. He has been
taught the truth, that each article of
merchandise should bear its share of
the expense of the business based up-
on its volume, the capital involved
and the expense of handling it.
A glance at the other food articles
on the profit margin list makes plain
the fact that all food that enters wide-
ly into the home of the laboring class
should be sold at the smallest mar-
gin of profit. .
The war-time profit margin con-
trol has done three things:
First—It has put sugar at a margin
of profit that at least it pays its own
expenses.
Second—It saw that the necessi-
ties of life were distributed at the
minimum rate of profit.
Third—It left the door of profit
open for the better grades of food,
thus giving encouragement to manu-
facturers and distributers to con-
stantly improve their quality and
placing upon those who are well able
to pay the profits of the business.
Should food control be permanent?
No; the reason for it is disappearing.
It would be irksome, indeed, in times
of peace to have constantly over the
merchant a board of guardians to
whom must be submitted the details
of each transaction.
It would have a tendency to crush
the initiative that good business re-
quires and place it on a dead level.
Let us not lose sight of.the good
things taught us in the war time.
These are frequent turn-overs of
stock, stock inventories, profit mar-
gins based on the quality of the
food and its distribution among the
masses, and the education involved in
the conformity to the profit margin
plan of regulated percentages of
profits based on the selling prices
and not the cost. Shall replacement
value govern profit margins? It must,
To-day the merchant is revising his
costs, preparing for the expected de-
clines,
May business continue on the high
plane suggested by the war-time
food control—fair prices, fair profits,
fair dealings and fair thought for the
small pocketbook.
James Hewitt.
——_-—_+- 2
Tradesman Increased in Value Ten-
fold.
Petoskey, Jan. 14—I wish I could
tell you how glad I am that you have
started an insurance department. If
there is anything the retail dealer
need at this time, it is education on
the subject of fire insurance, because
all the instruction he has_ received
heretofore—and that is precious little
—has been in the wrong direction.
How could it be otherwise when the
instruction was imparted by the
crafty inspectors and special agents
sent out by the stock companies to
befuddle the minds of their custom-
ers? Any one who has ever bumped
up against a brutal and unscrupulous
adjuster of the Shaw type has re-
ceived all the education he needs to
have in regard to the methods of
stock fire insurance companies in set-
tling their losses. I always asserted
the Tradesman was worth $10 a year
to any progressive merchant, but the
position you have taken with so much
energy and exactness on the insur-
ance question makes your paper
worth $100 per year to any retail
dealer. Retailer.
—_>-.___
Harden does not inspire much con-
fidence as the spokesman of liberal
Germany’s condemnation of German
brutalities during the war. He him-
self was one of the most enthusias-
tic Prussians of them all at the be-
ginning. But he happened to wake
up a little earlier than most to the
probability that Germany would be
defeated, and therefore acted the part
of Cassandra as far back as 1916. Of
Harden it may be said that he was
less of a fool than the average Jun-
ker. But his morality has never im-
pressed the observant Entente pub-
lic as at all superior to that of Von
Jagow or Bethmann-Hollweg or Von
Kuhlmann. Yet his utterances seem
to have a particular fascination for
foreign correspondents. Both they
and he are, apparently, still living in
a Germany that has, we hope, quite
passed off the stage of history.
MICHIGAN TRADESMAN
January 15, 1919
Sa ses =
DRUGS *” DRUGGISTS SUNDRIES!
4 y~ 4 = > = =z i.
OR, mee = — INES ps
et en Fh}
ae a i) eee 5