ADESMAN Volume XIII. The [lichigan Trust Co., —— ee. Acts as Executor, Administrator Guardian, Trustee. Send for copy of our pamphlet ‘‘Laws of the State of Michigan on Descent and Distribution of Property.” Martin DeWright. J. Renihan, Counsel. The Michigan Mercantile Company 3 & 4 Tower Block, Grand Rapids. Correspondence solicited. Law and collections. Reference furnished upon application. e—eernnnn 4 FIRE; Wi v INS. co. Prompt, Conservative, Safe. J.W.CHAMPLIN, Pres. W. FRED McBarn, Sec. © INSURANCE CO. Organized Detroit, Mich. 09909000 ee Commercial Credit Co., timitea. Reports on individuals for the retail trade, house renters and professional men. Also Local Agents Furn. Com. Agency Co.’s ‘‘Red Book.” Collections handled for members. Phones 166-1030 WIDDICOMB BLDG., GRAND RAPIDS. Columbian Transfer Company CARRIAGES —a|| BAGGAGE and FREIGHT WAGONS 1§ and 17 North Waterloo St. Telephone 381-1. Grand Rapids. This Check furnished by Preferred Bankeis Life Assurance Co., Lansing, Mich., to be worn on key ring to identify keys if lost, also to identify the person in case of accident or sud- den:illness. Country Merchants Can save exchange by keeping their Bank accounts inGrand Rapids, asGrand Rapids checks are par in all markets. The Ni Offers exceptional facilities to its custom- ere, and is prepared to extend any favors consistent with sound banking. DANIEL McCOY, President. CHAS. F. PIKE, Cashier. Detrot RUDDET Simp Co. 99 Griswold St. GRAND RAPIDS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1896. Official Call for the Big Rapids Con- vention. Grand Rapids, Jan. 22—The semi- annual convention of the Northern Michigan Retail Grocers’ Association will be held at Big Rapids, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 4 and 5, conven- ing at 10 o’clock on the day first named. Every grocer doing business in Mich- igan north of the D., G. H. & M. R’y is invited to attend the meeting, as matters of great importance to the trade will come up for discussion and action. Among the topics already assigned are the following : ‘*Should the retail grocer favor whole- sale department stores?’’—-N. Bicknell, Clare. ‘*Should the jobber handle produce for the retail dealer?’’—-Geo. F. Cook, Grove. ‘*The pure food laws and their effect on the retail dealer.’’—-State Food Com- missioner Storrs. ‘*How can the present business con- ditions be improved?’’— ‘*Who will be the Moses of the potato market?’’—-Jesse Wisler, Mancelona. ‘*The essentials of a successful busi- ness career?’’—-Prof. W. N. Ferris, Big Rapids. ‘*Cash vs. Credit.’’—W. D. Hopkin- son, Paris. ‘*Was the invalid peddling law of 1895 a move in the right direction?’’— Hon. C. K. Hoyt, Hudsonville. ‘*Is it possible to improve the present exemption law?’’—Robert Johnson, Cad- illac. ‘*Is it desirable to pay cash for prod- uce instead of store trade?’’—]. Schilling, Clare. ‘*Wherein can this Association greatly benefit the grocery trade of Northern Michigan?’’—J. W. Densmore, Reed City. ‘*Is it desirable to substitute weights for measures in the handling of prod- uce?’’—E. E. Hewitt, Rockford. Other topics are under consideration and will probably be introduced. The meetings will be held in the G. A. R. Hall, on Maple street. Extensive preparations have been made by the grocers of Big Rapids for the entertain- ment of their guests on the occasion of the convention, including a complimen- tary spread at the Northern Hotel on the evening of Feb. 4. The local Committee on Arrange- ments has secured a special rate of 25 cents per meal at the Northern and Western Hotels. As it is not likely that too grocers will be present, outside of the Big Rap- ids contingent, it has been impossible to arrange for reduced railway rates. Believing that our Association is des- tined to accomplish much good for the grocers of Northern Michigan, and con- fident that you will feel like doing your share to assist in the good work, we earnestly invite you to be present on the occasion of our Big Rapids convention. Come one, come ail! E. A. SrowE (Grand Rapids), Sec’y. J. F. TaTMAN (Clare), Pres. nO The Grocery Market. Provisions—The temper of the mar- ket is, on the whole, more satisfactory to the selling interest. Hogs have been arriving in reduced numbers, and the expectations concerning near future supplies have been stimulating to the products generally. Of course, there have been the natural reactions from an upward tendency and the usual de- sire to realize and take in profits. As yet the movement has been chiefly of a speculative character, covering a ma- terial outside buying interest ; but some of the packers were short of the prod- ucts more than had been supposed and their efforts to cover, together with the increased buying interest, helped to the strong situation. The greatest obstacle to a more material advance at present is in the attitude of foreign markets. All sources of consumption abroad are heavily supplied with cheap stuff, and until this passes to some extent into consumption, or the hog products be- come permanently strong here, the buy- ing interest therein is not likely to in- crease. Raisins—There has been a fair de- mand for California raisins in a_job- bing way and prices are generally firm. The majority of orders that come in call for 3 and 4 crown stock. Stocks of both these varieties are scarce and values have an advancing tendency. crowns are in light demand and about steady in price. There has been no change of moment in either Sultana or Valencia raisins. Rice—The position of rice appears tc be unchanged, with a good demand at firm prices. The general feeling is that the market has touched bottom, and holders look to the future with con- fidence, believing that the present range of values will be maintained even if no further advance is made. Foreign has not as yet proved to be much of a factor, and wiil probably not influence the market to any extent for some time to come, Canned Goods—While last week there were signs of returning activity, this week conditions have changed and de- mand has relapsed into extreme dull- ness, that being about the only feature that has developed. Buyers are not dis- posed to anticipate wants, and, asa matter of consequence, the business ts devoid of speculative qualities. Prices are low all along the line, but this week even that has not seemed to have any particular influence on buyers, who have let the market severely alone, pur- chasing only as positive wants dictated. While a year ago prices were about as low as they now are, there was more disposition shown to purchase and quite a tair business was in progress. The changes in prices this week have been unimportnat, but generally speaking an easier feeling prevails. Two Chocolate—Walter Baker & Co. write | the Tradesman that they are assured by the Food Commissioner that their goods are properly labeled. They guarantee protection in the handling of their goods and, in the event of pro- ceedings being begun against any of their customers, they request the per- sons attacked to plead ‘‘not guilty’’ and send them word, when they will imme- diately employ counsel and pay all ex- penses and costs in defending the mat- ter. —~> 0 - Annual [leeting of Owosso B. M. A. Owosso, Jan. 25—-At the annual meet- ing of the Business Men's Association the former officers were re-elected, as follows: President, A. D. Whipple; Vice-President, O. L. Sprague; Secre- tary, G. T. Campbell; Treasurer, W. E. Collins. The Executive Committee consists of the officers and James Os- burn, C. D. Stewart and W. H. Lingle. The appointment of a city assessor was discussed at length. Some thought our present method preferable to having an assessor, while others were of a con- trary mind. The subject will be taken up for discussion and action at a future meeting. Number 645 DO YOU WANT A Fine Fruit Farm in Berrien County? Have you $400 with which you wish ito begin fruit farming? If you don’t wish to farm it yourself, do you know of a worthy man whom you would like to give a start in life? If so, here is as good a chance as you could ask tor: In Berrien county I have a farm of sixty acres which I will sell for $2,000; only | S400 down, the remainder in easy pay- ments at low interest. There is plenty of water on the place and_ plenty of buildings for a man just starting. Five acres are set to fruit—cherries, apples, etc. The whole can be made intoa good fruit farm by any one willing to work. There is adjoining land that can be purchased whenever desired, so a man may have as big a place as any one needs. Write to G. W. Barnett, 159 South Water street, Chicago, and learn all there is to be said about this rare bargain. It will be hard for you to find a better chance. Berrien county has the best transportation facilities (lower rates and more routes) than any county in the fruit belt. > 2. Review. of the Sugar flarket. Detroit, Jan. 25--It is interesting to note the rapid disappearance of the vis- ible surplus in the world’s supply, which is now only 475,000 tons, being a reduction of nearly 100,000 tons per week during January. Cuban crop es- timates have again been reduced, be- ing now less than 100,000 tons. London has advanced for all descrip- tions, with a net gain of 3-32c per pound for beets, ang our Southern mar- ket is very strong at*full parity with 1c for 96 deg. centrifugals. Refined ruled firm with increasing demand until Wednesday, when an ad- vance of 1-16c was announced. A fair business followed the advance and_ in- dications pointed to renewed heavy de- mand, which was, however, effec- tually checked by Friday’s horizontal re- action of 1.16c. With the market stronger in its general position than at any time, and with the almost certainty of another '%c advance being estab- lished on the next sale of raws, it is difficult to account for the scaling of prices to a basis of 1-16c below the cus- tomary working margin. The impres- sion prevails, however, that refiners are determined to discourage any invest- ment in excess of ordinary require- ments, and at this season of limited consumption there is certainly very lit- tle encouragement to anticipate, when all calculations are so easily upset by eccentric action. We are firm believers in the future of sugar, but do not yet feel warranted in any radical change from our conserv- ative views, as outlined in former let- ters. Jan. 28—The week" opened with a quiet steady market. Raws are unchanged in all positions. Grades No. 4 and No. 5 are 1-16c lower —remainder of list firm and unchanged. The demand is again restricted to ‘*hand to mouth’’ business and will so continue until buyers overcome the un- certain feeling incident to the peculiar recent manipulation of the market. We see nothing in the situation to change our impressions, as outlined in our let- ter of the 25th. A further marking off in refined sugar would not surprise us at all. W. H. EpGAR & SON. en Walter N. Kelley, Manager of the Kelley & Covell lumber, charcoal and general merchandise business at Slights, is in town for a few days, a guest at the Morton House. 2 THE MICHIGAN TRADESMAN ___Dry Good SUCCESSFUL SALESIEN. Louis J. Koster, Representing Edson, Moore & Co. There are two prominent characteris- tics in the genuine German—he is never in a hurry and he always manages to get there on time. It is not the old story of the tortoise and the hare, for the son, or the grandson, of the Father- land does not take all day to do noth- ing, any more than his American brother; but he does take the needed time for the work he intends to do; and, when he begins, there is no rest until the work is done. The German is yet to be found who runs to’catch a train, and the train is yet to be located which ever left a German passenger. This idea of being on time began with the subject of this sketch in De- troit, March 28, 1856, at which place and ~ . time he promptly announced his own safe arrival. Born of German parent- age, the child, when he had reached the proper age, was sent, naturally, toa German school; naturally, because the parent, foreign born, has a firm belief that children are not fit to govern until they have learned to obey, a feature not extensively encouraged and practiced in the American home and not too often in the school. So, then, from an early sehool- time—a period coming earlier with the German child than with us—until he was 12 years old, he came under the rigid discipline of the German school- master—a discipline which cannot be too much encouraged—and then became enrolled as a pupil of the Detroit pub- lic schools. Four years there brought him to the end of public school life,and then, with a year at a commercial col- lege, he bade good bye to schoolbooks and entered upon the study of the law. A digression may be of service here. The idea is firmly grounded in many minds that the study of the scbools—es- pecially the public schools—unfits the pupil for the real work of life. It ger- minates and fosters the thought that the pupil is above work and that the com- mon lot of earning a living by the sweat of the brow is a decree not referring to him. With that thought this instance does not agree. After his school was over, for three years he followed the study of the law; but, finding then that the profession was not equal to the de- mands which adverse circumstances re- quired of him, without a thought of compromising himself by his action, he closed his law books, left the law office, and went to work in the retail dry goods store of Anthony Kirschner, in Detroit. That was the turning point in his life. The work pleased him and he kept on with it. After a year with Kirschner, he entered the wholesale notion establish- ment of Gillis & Sprague and was with them for six months. Atthe end of that time, he entered the ranks of Allan Shel- don & Co., a wholesale dry goods hcuse, and was their entry clerk for a year and a half. At that time Edson, Moore & Co. were on the lookout for a man of his make-up, and in the fall of 1879, he be- came one of the force of that well- known Detroit house. He entered as entry clerk and kept at it for two years. Then they wanted a house salesman ; he was ready for the place, took it, and filled it for two years. Then the firm wanted a good man on the road and sent him out. That was a date worth re- membering—a pleasant milestone for the young man to pass—and he passed it October 11, 1883. There is where he is now and, if he is as satisfied wit. the position as the house is with him, his customers will have the pleasure of giv- |ing him orders for a good many years. This recoid ought to stop here, but a | sentence or two more will only brighten the narrative. It is always considered 'the proper thing in the course of the in- | terview to give the victim a chance to The opportunity i**let himself out.’’ | was given, but was not improved. Here |was a rara avis who evidently needed la little encouragement. | ‘‘After your thirteen years on the road, it is needless to ask who the sales- | man is who sells the most goods for Ed- | son, Moore & Co. ?”’ ‘‘It may be so,’ was the reply, ‘‘but | in that case it will be proper for me_ to | state that I am not the man;’’ and in ithat case, it is proper to say that the | chance to tell a good fat one has never, in this office, been more handsomely or more promptly refused. Mr. Koster was married in the spring of 1889 to Miss Agnes S. Stark, of Grand Haven, and one child blesses their wedded life and the home on Franklin street, Grand Haven. Mr. Koster is a member and _ trustee of the Presbyterian Church. He isa Master Mason; a member of the Ger- man Salesmen’s Association of Detroit ;a charter member of the Knights of the Grip, holding certificate No. 3; Vice- President of the Fifth district ‘of K. of G; Chairman of Post J of Grand Haven, a position he wants emphasized with the largest type, to express, in a measure, his pride therein—a wish the Tradesman cannot gratify, from a lack of space—and a member of the Friend- ship Club of Grand Haven. Like all other Grand Eaven men, he is loyal to the city of his adoption, ardently claim- ing that the Sand Hill City possesses the only open harbor on Lake Michi- gan! Handsome in appearance, gentleman- ly in manner, loyal to his house, faith- ful to his customers, proud of his wife and child, pleased with his position and prospects, Mr. Koster has every reason to regard his career with satisfaction and his future with composure. —_—_—_»0—.>_____ A Traverse City girl had her feet frost-bitten while skating recently. They will trouble her all her life, and may trouble other people some if she does not get the chill out of them before re- tiring time. iS Pe 7G Sis ie See a eSB ee ee ee ee TE Ge i oaacalrcannaanmnaeeseses Wash Goods Goring Hosiery Underwear NIZA ai THESE WE ARE ARE THE WORKING LINES ON THIS MONTH. OUR STOCK AND ASSORTMENT IN EACH LINE IS THE LARG- EST anp FINEST WE HAVE EVER SHOWN. SEE 32 FORE BUYING. NZ 7 dson, OUR SAMPLES BE- oore & Co. Wholesale Dry Goods DETROIT upa aman arate eee esas ome OT aces THE MICHIGAN TRADESMAN THE COUNTRY MERCHANT. Written for the TRADESMAN. Have you ever thought of the im- portance, in the commercial world, of that somewhat isolated, yet numerous, portion of the business interests of the land, the country merchant? Invariably a man of ambition to rise above his condition, and usually one of tact and ability, possessing good sound sense and reliable judgment, he is the representative business man of his sec- tion, in whom the people have confi- dence, and in such close touch with the masses as to have a very considerable influence in the moulding of public opinion. His store is the neighborhood head- quarters and tae forum for the discus- sion of all questions of local or general importance, from the latest local gossip to the designs of the English upon Ven- ezuela. The merchant it is whose opin- ion carries most weight in these free- for-all debates, and whose authority, especially upon questions of business policy, is seldom disputed. He is con- sulted on matters of law and ethics, is the arbitrator of neighborhood quarrels, trusted with family secrets and trequent- ly made the banker of the surplus funds of the community. He it is who takes the city daily, knows all about the latest sensations, the doings of Congress, the dealings on ’change and the prospects of crops. He is frequently justice of the peace and postmaster, sitting in judgment on the misdeeds of the erring, and fre- quently remaining the Government’s agent through successive administra- tions, except where the interests of the people are sacrificed to partisan selfish- ness. The man who ‘‘runs the store’’ at the country crossroads must be master of many accomplishments beyond those of being able to make change and wash windows. He is supposed to be posted on the market price of all the produce of the section, a good judge of every- thing handled in his store, a judicious buyer and an industrious seller. He must be familiar with the ruling fash- ions and the latest fads, from needle- pointed shoes to bell-crown hats. This he must learn by close observation on his occasional visits to the city markets, through the indispensable trade journal, whose information and teachings are the chart by which he guides his vessel through the uncertain and oft-times tur- bulent commercial sea, and by the aid of the trusted commercial traveler, that essential connecting link between his little community and the great world outside, and upon whom he has often to depend like a sailor upon his compass, and with the same confident assurance of guidance to a safe harbor. His business is essentially a personal undertaking. He is not hidden behind glazed office doors, beyond the reach of patrons, as is his city brother, whose personality is often unknown to hun- dreds of his customers. The country merchant’s dealings are through direct and, necessarily, friendly contact with the people, whom he treats with on terms of equality, and with whose tastes and peculiarities, whose condition and general surroundings, he familiarizes himself. His friendship is prized and his influence solicited by those seeking business or personal advancement. The country merchant who under- stands his business, and who _ possesses the confidence of his people, has the as- surance of a substantial and unfailing reward for his labor, if he but be con- ’ tented to ‘‘let well enough alone,’’ and does not branch out beyond the demands of his trade or the limit of his capital. Harry M. ROyAL. —__—» 2. PRODUCE MARKET. Apples—Greenings are about the only Michigan variety still on the market and easily command $2.75 per bbl. The trade is well supplied with Ohio fruit— Rome Beauties, Baldwins, Greenings and Smith’s Ciders—which bring $2@$2.25 for choice and $2.50@2.75 for fancy. Beans—During the period under re- view the market has been dull, uninter- esting and featureless. Receipts have been moderate, and the inquiry con- tinues moderate. In the matter of values, a generally easier feeling pre- vails, while of several varieties a slight decline has occurred. Butter—The market continues dull and featureless. Fancy dairy brings 14c but good to choice commands 12@ 13c. Creamery shares the depressed feeling, having sold as low as Igc. Beets—25c per bu. Cabbage—Stationary at $3@4 per Ioo. Celery-—12'%c per doz. bunches. Cider—124c per gal. Cranberries--In fair demand at $8@ 1o per bbl.. for Cape Cods. Jersey are plentiful at $2.50@2.75 per bu. box. Eggs—Receipts are large with every indication of stili larger receipts, unless the weather should become _ colder. Fresh stock has declined to 16c, while cold storage and limed stock is neg- lected. Grapes—Malaga stock is held at $6 per keg of 60 Ibs. net. Hickory Nuts (Ohio)—Small, $1.25 per bu., large, $1 per bu. Honey—Dealers ask 15@16c for white clover and 13@14c for dark buckwheat. Lettuce—15c per lb. Onions—Spanish command about $1! per crate of 4o lbs. Home grown are dull and slow sale at 25c. Pop Corn—Rice, 3c per lb. Potatoes—The local roads _ have granted a small concession in the rate on potatoes to Southern points, making the F. & P. M. the dividing line, instead of the D., G. H. & M., as_ heretofore. The concession amounts to 2c per 100 pounds—equivalent to 1%c per bu., but does not afford any relief to Grand Rapids or to the towns north of the line of the F. & P. M. Railway. It was confidently expected by the shippers that the Michigan roads would make an emergency rate, same as has been done by a number of Western roads, but the change from an arbitrary to a prorate basis over a small section of the potato- growing area effectually ends any hope in that direction. Seeds—Clover command $4.75@$5. for Mammoth, $4.50@4.70 for Medium, $4.75 for Alsyke, $3.50 for Crimson and $4.25@4.75 for Alfalfa. Timothy com- mands $1.85 for Prime and $2 for Choice. Squash—%4@Ic per lb. for Hubbard Sweet Potatoes—The market is un. changed, Illinois Jerseys bringing $4- per bbl. and $1.30 per bu. —____—> 2 »—___ | Do Away with Careless Habits. There are many disagreeable _ prac- tices permitted in stores that might eas- ily be remedied. Your object should be to have the general tone of your store up to the highest possible point, and your personal habits in this respect are large- ly responsible for those occupying a subordinate position with you. Do away with everything that tends to slovenli- ness. Then are some merchants who wait on lady customers with their coats off, or without collars and cuffs. This costume might be all right on the plains, but for a merchant to indulge in such slovenliness is inexcusable. Another habit that will stand correcting is hum- ming or whistling while waiting on customers. This should not be practiced by yourself or allowed among = your clerks. —___+>___- How much will you pay for imagina- tion this year? Take a toc cigar and a S. C. W. 5c cigar and see if you can tell the difference in the smoke! Try it! OOOO ©) QNOQQNQNANEG New Spring Fabrics zs” D. Dimity, 30 inch, all new designs, in quality to retail at 10 cents. Fine Dimity, 30 inch, fine sheer cloth, stripes and neat figures, to retail at 12% cents. Organdie, printed, new beautiful designs on black grounds, vine and stripe effects. Percales, our trade who had our line last season know they were winners. We have a better line than ever. Patterns for Waists and Shirts, 36 inches wide, 28 yards to each piece. We will show a line of over 150 styles, to retail at 121%, and staples in a quality to sell at ro. Tela Vela Ducks, navy and black grounds, in neat patterns, Sateens, Aniline black, in qualities to sell at 10, 12%, 15, 20 and 25 cents. Normandie Gingham, plaids and stripes, Park- hill gingham, small neat work for children’s wear. Bates Seersuckers and Abbottsfords, in checks and stripes. Amoskeag and Lancaster Staples, best ging- ham in the market, fast colors. We shall have all styles. Domino staples lower in price. Crepons, all colors, fast black also, 30 inches wide, to retail at 12% cents. Plumetis Soir, a new white ground fabric, 30 in. wide, put up in half pieces, beautiful colors and new designs on embossed ground, excellent quality, to retail at 25 cents. Calicos, Hamilton, Windsor, American, Merri- mack, Garners, Cocheco, Pacific, Manchester, Simpsons, Allen, Harmony in all new work, papered or unpapered. The new line contains the very newest work to suit all trade at the usual low prices at which we sell these goods. Dress Canvas, all colors to retail at 10, 12%, 15, 18, 20 cents. These goods we have sold the past three years and are considered the best quality inthe market at the price. All Linen. Selwygn Suitings, 36 inch double fold, to retail at 10 cents. Satin Surrah, 30 inch, black ground, floral ef- fects, to sell at 10 cents. We shall carry a full line of plain Dress Goods to retail at 10, 12%, 15, 20, 25, 30 to 50 cents and fancies at 10 cents to $1. Be sure to see this line, which is too large to numerate. Linings, all grades and qualities in cambrics, per- calines, silesias, grass cloth, hair cloth, fiber chamois, and cheaper paper linings and _ fancy silesias, black and self backs. P. STEKETEE & OOM, GRAND RAPIDS. © © COO DNAQAAAAAAAANNANOANONG QAOG THE MICHIGAN TRADESMAN > A oN “SRN Ci re RG ac proce Ss *. WE. FAMILy * { S garisias i tee ae + FLOUR | EANCY os. N Veet - A > 2 " ’ We are Sole Agents for ; PARA Y 2 tf COs PL OUR, = “4, 196 Soy end eu nyvennennenevvevenveneneenernenvenvennenveneene re vee ven nen aty Sidi iiss in Price ...-celebrated.... “PARISIAN” Correspondence Solicited. See quotations pmon & Wheeler G0. Grand Rapids, [lich. Vdd ALAA Ly ; Li i mn JFL OUR lan . 2° we on ey sonar Se JaRISiAy, ws oS PLOUR ch 7a, 196 ow ee 9 Ss y 4 yy ay 7BuURNS. 4) yy Yy e 7 Y us ! A eaasceone siinemakialls Around the State Movements of Merchants. Jamestown—S. Cooper has sold his general stock to O. N. Sage. Edmore—W. Reed has sold his notion and confectionery stock to T. Spear. Marion—J. A. Nelson succeeds Nel- son & Fenton in the hardware business. Amasa—Olin & Horder have pur- chased the general stock of J. T. Gib- son. Ashley—Palmeter & Bowker succeed Palmeter & Martin in the grocery busi- ness. | Bessemer—The K. S. Markstrum Co. succeeds D. Markstrum in general trade. Orion—John Lenhoff, dealer in cloth- ing and hats and caps, has removed to Oxford. Howard—U. M. (Mrs. L.) Gates has sold her grocery stock to Bradley & Mc- George. Armada—E. A. Hulett & Co. suc- ceed H. P. Barringer in the hardware business. Kalamazoo—E. PP. Ford succeeds Ford & Partridge in the photographing business. Harrison—C. J. Richardson & Co. succeed Chas. J. Richardson in the gro- cery business. St. Johns—Waldron & Mack succeed E. P. Waldron & Co. in the bcot and shoe business. Alpena—John Beaulieu continues the business formerly conducted by Fon- taine & Beaulieu. Stanton—Wm. H. Owen has retired from the drug and grocery firm of Haw- ley & Owen. The business will be con- tinued by the remaining partner, E. D. Hawley. qT | SE Johns—Elmer T. Hull succeeds Hull & Hulse in the furniture and un- dertaking business. Marshali—Jandell Bros.,meat dealers, have dissolved, Arthur C. Jandell con- tinuing the business. Carsonville—Smith & Manes con- tinue the drug business formerly con- ducted by H. W. Smith. Wetmore—Wm. F. Cox now carries on the business formerly conducted un- der the style of Cox & Cox. Ellsworth—W. A. Stone is closing out the Supernaw stock of goods which was purchased by W. L. French last week. Gilbert—John G. Carlson has sold his general stock and store building to Jacob Larson, who will continue the business. Millbrook—Dr. W. R. Stringham has removed his drug stock from this place to Baraga, where he will continue the business. East Jordan—It is stated that A. L. Coulter and a partner will embark in the hardware and grocery business at Munising. Caledonia—The meat market formerly conducted by Hale & Shisler has been purchased by M. R. Shisler, who will continue the business. Tecumseh—C. B. Mize Shas resigned his position as traveling salesman for the Marshall Furnace Co. and will em- bark in the grocery business here. Memphis—Stewart & Streeter’s stock of merchandise, which was seized by the sheriff at the instance of W. J. Gould & Co., of Detroit, was sold at sheriff sale to J. A. Barton, subject to chattel mortgages amounting to $6,103.71, held by Edson, Moore & Co., of De- troit, and Saunders & Co., of Pert Huron. Shelby—J. D. M. Shirts has sold his interest in the grocery stock of Shirts Bros. to his brother, who wil! continue the business under the style of W. H. Shirts. Nashville—Wm. Clever has_ retired from the firm of Clever & Ackett, meat dealers at this place. The business will be continued by his partner, John Ackett. Detroit—Thomas P. Hubbard & Co., dealers in paints and wall paper, have dissolved. The business will be con- tinued by Thomas P. Hubbard under the same Style. Fremont—Fred Holt has retired from the grocery firm of Holt & Tanner. The business will be continued by the remaining partner under the style of Wm. W. Tanner. Battle Creek—-Mrs. Maria A. Hollis- ter, dealer in jewelry, and H. E. Mc- Coy,dealer in optical goods and jewelry, have consolidated their stocks and _ will hereafter do business under the style of McCoy & Hollister. Traverse City—R. A. Hastings has sold a half interest in the Fuller drug stock, which ke purchased last week, to C. A. Bugbee, of Cheboygan, who will remove to this city and take the man- agement of the business. Freesoil—Marigold & Stevens, who are running the hardwood mill here this winter, have already shipped in a large quantity of their product, and have it piled on dock at Manistee ready for water shipment in the spring. Watervliet—-The stock “of groceries belonging to the estate of the late R. E. Wigent was sold last Monday, and was bid in by Mrs. Wigent at $1,000. Although all legal formalities had been complied with, Kidd, Dater & Co., of Benton Harbor, were dissatisfied with the i so it was decided to advertise and sell the property again. Tekonsha—A Tekonsha man became despondent and called upon a_ local druggist for some morphine to help him out of his trouble. After purchas- ing the drug, he shook hands with the druggist and bade him a tearful good bye, divulging his purpose, whereupon the druggist compelled him to give up the morphine. The funeral has been indefinitely postponed. Kalamazoo—David H. Haines, as- signee of the Conger Company, which conducted the variety goods business at Kalamazoo and Owosso, has issued a circular to the creditors announcing that on Feb. 15 he will move in the Kala- mazoo Circuit Court for premission to sell the stocks in both stores, appraised at $13,000. No move has yet been made to contest the mortgages uttered to pre- ferred creditors. Lapeer—Strong, Lee & Co. object to the statement that they caused the downfall of Lee Powelson. Mr. Pow- elson first gave mortgages on his stock and made several transfers, which caused his downfall, and Strong, Lee & Co. got their pay by making an attach- ment on him. Their connection with the matter was purely of a business character, involving only the relations of debtor and creditor. East Jordan—F. S. Yorks, who for some years has had the manayement of the lumber business of C. A. Barker, at this place, has leased the mill in the Bohemian settlement and will operate the same on his own account. He has also leased the Hubbard dock for the coming season, which he will use for shipping his lumber and cedar. The Barker sawmill at this place will not be stocked this season, as was reported from Traverse City. THE MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 5 Grand Rapids Gossip Patrick H. Kilmartin has purchased the drug stock of Josephine V. (Mrs. Will Z.) Bangs at 252 Grandville avenue. C. D. Valentine has opened a gro- cery store at the corner of Hall and South Divison streets, the former loca- tion of Perry & Worden. John P.Oosting has sold his grocery stock and store building at 369 South East street to Cornelius Vander Ploeg, who will continue the business. The annual meeting cf the Grand Rapids Seating Co., which was called for Tuesday of this week, was adjourned four weeks, at the request of the minor- ity stockholders. Jacobus Ritzema, formerly engaged in the grocery business on Grandville avenue, has opened a grocery store at 796 South Division street. The Ball- Barnhart-Putman Co. furnished the stock, Benjamin Gilden has traded his gro- cery stock at 43 Fountain street for the Michigan House livery barn. Mr. Gil- den will continue the livery business and H. Parish will continue the grocery business. Henry Heesen and H. C. Wendorff have removed to this city from Green Bay for the purpose of embarking in the grocery business. Mr. Heesen has had an experience of fourteen years as clerk in a grocery store. A. E. Worden, President of the Wor- den Grocer Co., is in receipt of letters from Senator Burrows and Congressman Smith, promising to work and vote for the Torrey bankruptcy bill, which has been before Congress, in one form or another, for the past dozen years. H. T. Allerton has sold his grocery stock and meat market at 300 South Division street to B. E. Pomroy, wife of Fred J. Pomroy, who recently retired from the hardware and lumber business at Lisbon. Mrs. Pomroy will continue the grocery business at the same _loca- tion. Scofield, Shurmer & Teagle have erected storage tanks and established a storehouse at Jackson, placing in charge of the business Roy B. Parmenter, who for the past six years has been associ- ated with Frank H. Barnes, local man- ager for the Great Western Oil Works. Mr. Parmenter has had the benefit of an excellent business experience and will, undoubtedly, make his mark in his new field of usefulness. His suc- cessor as book-keeper for the local branch is Chas. A. Frey, formerly with the Hudson Clothing Co. A suburban druggist has been han- dling ten brands of union-made cigars and two brands of non-union goods. For this heinous offense he has been boy- cotted by the unions, and he has _retal- iated by throwing out the union brands altogether. The same course is likely to be taken by other druggists who smart un ler the attempted dictation of the unions. The boycott invariably proves to be a boomerang, but it is de- cidedly annoying for a decent dealer to be subjected to the espionage of the walking delegate and bum cigarmaker. i se Even the litlte bird cannot collect its worm without presenting its bill. —_— 8 Gillies originated 5th Ave. New York Coffees. J. P. Visner, Local Agent. 4 WORKING WOMEN. with a Comfortable and Economical Home. ‘‘A few charitable women met De- cember 16, 1846, in the ‘Prospect Hull’ schoolhouse to form a society for benev- olent purposes.’’ So begins the nar- rative of the greatest of the three Chris- tian Graces in Grand Rapids ; and, from the gathering of those ‘‘few charitable women’’ some forty years ago has sprung up and_ increased one of the strongest and most pleasing features of this city’s daily life—the care of the stranger within its gates. In these days, when so much is said of the New Woman and her rapidly- widening sphere, it may be well to refer to the charitable few and to remark that in the ringing in of the new, the world is not quite ready to ring out that part of the old which the hills of Bethlehem sent echoing along the centuries, and that the change can make but little difference to the life of the woman, new or old, so long as the faith and the hope that are in her remain the incentive of the charity that ‘‘suffereth long and is kind.”’ It is pleasing to note that the wom- an’s work of ’46 has never passed out of her benevolent hands. Changes have been made, the work has increased in extent and importance, the old has passed away and all things have become new; but it is the woman that still is found devising and dispensing these charities with her own hands to-day, ex- actly as she did in the earlier centuries to the poor at the castle gate, and so teaching to the Christian world the old Judean lesson: ‘‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’’ So the benevolent institutions of the city have prospered, and so, as time goes by and the need appears, one after another of these in- stitutions begins its life with the de- scendants of the ‘‘few charitable women of Prospect Hill;’’ and by and by the project materializes, the new benevo- lence finds a locality and a name, and begins at once its good Christian work. That is the history of the latest chari- table development, known as the Work- ing Woman’s Home. A few charitable women, on the alert for doing good, found, as the city grew, that young women were drawn here with the hope of work. They came from the surround- ing towns and villages and from farther off. Many were farmers’ daughters. Young women from city homes were talked with occasionally, where glimpses were caught of a home-life not always desirable. The stores were filled with young women from the city, who, since they lived at home, could afford to work for small wages, because the $3, little as it is, was still so much gain for those who had nothing to pay for board and lodging. It is this kind of competition with which the incoming stranger has to con- tend. So long as clothing is not needed, the young women from the town and the farm can live on the $3 a week they re- ceive for wages, because that will just pay for room and board in some cheap boarding place; but, when the other needs of living are to be supplied, un- less there is help from the home or else- where, want is sure to follow. Provided This was the condition which made itself manifest and which led a ‘‘few charitable women’’ of the W. C. T. U. to speak, from time to time,of instances coming under their own personal knowl- edge where young women were actual- ly suffering from just such a cendition of things. So, from the observation and the closely following remark, the idea of doing something to relieve this great need began to take tangible shape—not this time in a ‘‘schoolhouse on Prospect Hill,’’ but at a meeting in the Central Union of the W. C. T. U. The moment the words had given expression to the thought, the charitable circle hearing it hailed it with joy. It was early taken before a meeting of the Federation, and received its sanction; and the Working Woman’s Home passed from the ideal to the real. A desirable house was found the corner of North Division and Lyon streeis. It is large and roomy. Its style of architecture is pleasing. It hasa large lot; and it has a look at once homey and attractive. Generous citi- zens—and_ there is a goodly number of them here—promptly helped to furnish the house, which became at once the headquarters of the Federation of Unions; and on September 1, 1895, the doors of the Working Woman’s Home on permanent dweller. Whoever presents the passport of respectability is wel- come and, once within the pleasant cir- cle, the old home-life comes back to them like a benediction. The rules of the Home are simple and salutary. Ten o'clock is the bedtime, the house being then locked for the night. They who are unwilling to con- form to the conditions cannot remain. The Board of Managers is made up of the Presidents of each of the local unions, so that there are as many mem- bers as there are local unions. That these managers have an important work to perform, the experience of the last five months plainly shows; that they know how to meet the demands made upon them is evident, and, while it may sometimes seem to them that the re- are not commensurate with the effort put forth to reap them, beyond the effort, beyond the difficulties, be- yond the discouragements comes the wards ‘thought that fell first from the lips of were thrown open and the new life un- | der its roof began. That it was an undertaking much needed was at once made manifest. | Him who spake as never man spake: ‘As ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it un- Ite me. —~>-2 The Grain Market. This has been what is termed a_ bull week. Wheat started in with an up- Numbers who had long felt that some- | thing must be done or they must give | up the positions they held came to tind what they had been longing for home. They have come from every calling—the store, the shop, the trade— and here in the crowded city they have found again the family life they thought they had left forever under the apple a ward tendency and continued without intermission until the closing on Satur- day, when the advance for May reached labout 4%c above Monday’s opening. The receipts are falling off in the | Northwest. trees of the farm or the maples of the | village. They do not come as depend- ants. The advantages of a Christian home are theirs. They enjoy it; and they enjoy it all the more because they pay for it. They are not objects of charity. They learn that from the first. The house and its furnishings money; the one has been rented, and the others paid for, at regular rates. There is room rent, and there are board bills, and these are to be met promptly ; but they can be met and a margin be The exports were heavy, being 3,849,000 bushels (flour included ) ‘from both coasts, as compared with 2,840,000 bushels the corresponding week last year. So all the longs felt happy for once, while the bear element | went growling. This has been expected | for some cost | time, and setback is expected,-but we shall see still better prices before long. The visible did not show up as much as was anticipated. While the trade expected about 1,000,000 bushels de- now a crease, it was only 465,000 bushels, which took the sharp edge off the market, and | May wheat slumped off 1c per bushel left for the other numberless wants| which wholesome living — requires, whether the wages earned be $3 a week or less. No wage-earning girl of good repute is ever turned away; but, under that home rooftree, where hands heartiest welcome are held out to her, she can enter and become a self-respect- ing member by independently paying her way. A pleasing feature in the management is the absence of scrimping. It is seen nowhere. True, the plain prevails, but it is a plainness that commends itself to the beholder. Comfort has been-the thought—a good, comfortable warmth and cleanliness everywhere. A pleasant parlor, opening from the pleas- ant hall, receives the visitor, and the glimpse he gets into the sitting room through the folding doors confirms the idea that here, in a convenient quarter of the town, at a nominal cost, which every self-respecting young woman is able and glad to pay, is a home bright and comfortable, where peace and quiet and contentment abide, and where, when the toils of the day are over, its weariness, its cares and its annoyances can be forgotten in the genial home circle, or in the restful enjoyment of the prettily-appointed sleeping apartment— the throne-room, always, of the femi- nine mind. home, | with wholesome plenty at the table and | duiing the last thirty minutes of the closing from high point yesterday. I am ‘of the opinion that someone made an error in figuring the visible. While our |exports have been extra large, the re- of | ceipts were only moderate and | cannot | reconcile these figures, according to my calculation. Corn and oats followed wheat on the up grade and, while not in the same degree, both cereals advanced Ic per bushel. The receipts were: wheat, 41 cars; corn, 7, and oats, 4 cars—about the av- erage. C. G.) AL Vorer. —__—_»> 0 .___— Flour and Feed. The past week has been one of excite- ment and a sharp advance in wheat and i flour has followed to some extent, prices being advanced from 40@5o0c per bbl. This condition of things has been pre- dicted for some time by those familiar’ with wheat supply and demand, but the change came so suddenly that many were caught napping and with very light stocks. Some reaction would now seem to be in order, but, in all prob- ability, a considerably higher range of values will be reached for breadstuffs of all kinds before another crop is har- vested. | Corn and oats are about Itc higher, in sympathy with wheat, but prices of feed, meal, bran and middlings remain The hospitable doors of the Home re- | locally the same as last week. ceive the transient comer as well as the Wm. N. ROWE. THE MICHIGAN TRADESMAN __ Hardware A PLEA FOR THE OLD FOGY. Written for the TRADESMAN. By reason of the commercial changes that have occurred within’ the last twenty years a certain class of retail dealers have become reduced to a small fragment, each one of which is, in the parlance of the day, considered ‘‘a back number.’’ His _ position among mercantile men is supposed to be in the rear, where is fated te catch all the dust thrown behind by the hustlers in their frantic struggles to reach the front. Whether located iu city, town or coun- try, he is characterized by a_ lack of push, which is something that may have a definite meaning, though scarcely two upon what it is. he of his critics can agree All of them, however, have a stone of ridicule or sarcasm to cast at him and are unanimous in the conclusion that he not “‘up to date,’’ but rather in a class by himself, distinctly recognized “old togy."’ The literature of trade though kindly critical, fails to spur ambition, is too far behind the use of improved methods to care for is as journals, his since he advice or precept that does not suit his condition or aim in life. On the other hand, he is plainly given to un- derstand that the evolution of trade is leaving him hopelessly behind — the times, where he is oniy useful to ‘point a moral or adorn a tale’’ Hav- ing no organization upon which to de- pend and no leader to champion his in- terest, the unfortunate old fogy of to- day jogs along at a methodical gait, quite satisfied with the speed, never en- vious of those who apparently distance him in the race and receive cheers from the grand stand. Personifying, as he does, a part of the conservative force of trade, one who is inclined to philoso- phize upon the relation he bears to the more active factors in mercantile life may be permitted to say a few words in his favor. It well, at the outset, to consider what is the main purpose in choosing an occupation, and also that men may reasonably take different views of what constitutes success in any occupation. Very few of the large number of retail- ers qualify themselves expressly for a mercantile life, as do the lawyer and the physician for their respective profes- The ranks of trade are oftener recruited from men who failed in other employments, or who drifted along without any denfiite purpose until some favorable circumstance turned their at- tention ercial venture as the surest road to fortune, or at least an easier to secure a competence. Many a farmer with speculative procliv- ities, tired of slow gains,seeks a change of occupation, believing that the mer- chant middleman has a great advantage over the producer. So one after another is sions. to comm way exchanges his capital for experience, and begins to put in_ practice his theories on how to run a business that he hopes will land him nearer the goal of human endeavor. Like the active participants in every other race, each competitive retailer is supposed to be hustling for local com- mercial supremacy. He is urged to strain every nerve to distance his neigh- bors or hold his own against greater odds. Advice by the carload is offered by those interested in his success to in- duce him to adopt certain speed his progress. need methods to no such while much of the advice as to methods falls short of practical result, for the reason that local conditions are so vari- able. A great many, however, respond to words of stirring counsel and meet with a moderate degree of success. Others drop out of the race from sheer exhaustion or incompetency, leaving a few who never considered themselves in any race at all, and who are wonder- ing what the whole ado is about. These last constitute the class termed ‘‘old fogy,’’ who, whether in city or country, keep on the even tenor of their way, content to accept the conditions of trade as they find them, and to do their duty in their own little spheres, heedless of the jealous rivalries of the majority. It is not always easy to identify the old fogy by his personal appearance ; neither does his store front nor the in- terior arrangement of goods furnish clue sufficiently definite. He may be pur- suing his destiny quietly in a large city, behind a plate glass front, side by side with the so-called ‘‘hustler’’ who clam- ors for trade through the daily papers. He will oftener be found in some _ vil- lage or crossroad settlement, doing busi- ness in a building of unpretentious ap- pearance, with a stock of goods of the most miscellaneous character and ar- ranged in the most elaborate disorder. Wherever he may be,there is an absence of dash, of display, of apparent pros- perity. The casual visitor is apt to think it a dull place, and to wonder how a man of any business ability can content himself with such stagnation. But the jobber, in scanning his ledger showing a list of customers whose ac- counts can be classed as good assets, never fails to notice, when certain pages are opened, how short is the time be- tween delivery and remittance. The footings for any given time may not reach the total of entries against more ambitious dealers, yet they represent a period of time outlasting scores of so- called ‘‘progressive traders,’’ and in the aggregate an amount of sales that leaves painful memories of loss; and, when statements are sent out to call back some of the wandering capi- tal profusely scattered among thousands of hustling retailers, the pages contain- ing the names of old fogies are sure to be skipped, or, if noted, it is but to send circulars of welcome greeting and urgent requests for future orders. How often, too, does the knight of the grip prize these oases in the desert of dull trade’s weary round. What satis- faction it is to him when, disgusted by failure to sell goods to some con- ceited beginner in business who thinks he *‘knows it all,’’ he drops his sam- ples on the counter of the old fogy cus- tomer and gets a hearty handshake and an order that restores his confidence in humanity. Though the order may not be a voluminous one, he knows that it is given in a liberal business spirit and that it will be repeated as often as the wants of legitimate demand will justify. no The peculiarties of the old fogy dealer that call forth criticism in trade papers and from contemporaries may be summed up in the following: He is old fashioned in business methods. Since he does not consider the occupa- tion of a merchant necessarily a strife between competing forces but, instead, a means to facilitate the exchange of products to supply natural wants, his aim is to be a useful factor in the work of collection and distribution. Having no inordinate desire for wealth, he pur- The great majority | sues his calling as a means of livelihood incentive to exertion, | for himself and family, quite satisfied ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° 9 oe ae — ows ows eee oa oe o870[(08 0 sto Ke8 0990099000 A0%a ° ° ° ° fo} a So 2 sse(0 oO a gS AND FARM ow ° ° ° aS 3 ° 0 ° ° Qo NS ° 0. Sh e ° As Oo 9 ey - ° °o ° ‘o oAt{e °o ° ° oO le Boro ° o oAo%, ofoKo o o ° Cy olo%, Boro So o ° oO 0 ° : o o o 2 ° ° 0 Owe oO ° 9 0 ° 9 ° ae ° oo 0 104% o o °o ° °o ° o 9 ° o o ° o 9 ° 6 ° ° ° GY 2) 09}8 © -< . [If your wife could buy a toc article tor 5c, do you think she would? Well, I guess so! Why «on’t you buy S. c. W. 5c cigar? Money in Specialties. The advantage, in an advertising sense, of becoming identified with a specialty of some sort is not as much appreciated as it ought to be. Practi- cally any tradesman can make a leading feature of something which will differ- entiate him from his competitors in trade. The value of specialties, or of acquiring a name for certain special lines, should be thoroughly understood. Do not bury yourself in the dull level of conventionality. If you would gain at- tention do something that nobody else is doing at the moment. The world is so very much occupied that it will not pause to heed the ordinary bland- ishments that were once sufficient to se- cure trade. You must, metaphorically speaking, sound a trumpet or wave a flag. ee ee Get Rid of a Bad Becgate. Upon finding you have made a_ mis- take in buying stock, do not hold up for the first price and let the goods lie indefinitely on the shelves, but let them go for what they will bring. This is the wisest course to pursue. Everybody makes mistakes, so that no one has a monopoly in this line. But, after the mistake has been made, do your best to rectify it by getting rid of the bad bar- gain as soon as possible. If goods fail to meet the popular approval, don’t let the question of price hinder in their disposal. Better sell when the rush is on at a low price than carry them in stock. In many stores throughout the country there are goods piled up whose original cost, with interest added, would make quite a nice little sum. os It isa Sestasiie eulitical indication that the school boards of the large cities are refusing to bow to the dictates of unionism. The members of such boards are generally chosen from those of the best education and intelligence. Re- cently the New York city board was to let the contract for its printing. The most favorable, reliable bid was from a firm which had thrown off the yoke of union dictation. A delegation of the typographical offices waited on the com- mittee to protest against the acceptance of the bid on the ground that the firm employed non-union men. It isa fa- vorable indication that even in New York, the city of rings par excellence, the alii was unavailing. +30. Some of the banks in New York find it to their advantage, in cashing checks drawn by and for women, to pay them in clean, crisp new bills or coin. In this way they cater successfully to the instinctive feminine regard for nicety and neatness, and find their reward in feminine appreciation, Long credits given by manufactures and wholesalers are responsible fora large majority of the business failures. With plenty of time to pay, men do not hurry to get ready to pay. No matter how bad or destructive a boy be, he never becomes so degraded or loses self-respect sufficiently to throw mud on a Circus poster. The difference between success and failure 1s not always in the amount of work applied, but in the method of its application. Train your children in politeness and unselfishness in all little things, and the greater will come without an efrort. It takes one hundred cents to make a dollar, but ten million dollars couldn't make sense for some people. If there were less ignorance to prey upen, there would be less rascals to prey upon it. Character is the diamond _ that scratches every other stone. Hardware Price Current. AUGURS AND BITS Snell’s.. . Lees i bee eec. 70 Jennings’, genuine | ee 25410 Jennings’, imitation . . 6010 AXES Mirst Quality. S. B. Bronze .-............... 5 50 First Quality, D. E. Bromze................. 9 50 Pir: Gually. S B.S. seeel...... .......... 6 Birst Grualicy, DB Steel... ............... 10 25 BARROWS Rone $12 00 14 00 Ce i net 30 00 BOLTS i 60 Carmiiee mew let... 65 Ce -40.410 BUCKETS Well, pista $32 BUTTS, CAST Cast Loose Pin, = lk. 70 Wrought Narrow. a“ +o tOGGLO BLOCKS Ordinary Tackle.... ..... ee 70 CROW BARS Cast Steet. .- per Ib 4 CAPS Pivs (10... LU. cee C .. per m 65 ay k's C. FL er 55 B. oe Se perm 35 M Sy perm 60 CARTRIDGES heme Pre... fe HOK 5 Central Fire. ewes Bd& 5 CHISELS Seghet Bummer ..............-..._. ee 80 EL eee 80 moenet Comer. 80 Socket Siicts... 80 DRILLS Morse’s Bit Stocks ..... ae 60 Taper and Straight Shank. Boece HOK& 5 Morse’s Taper Sbank................._.- we 5 ELBOWS Com. 4picee, Gin... ._.___.-...; doz. net 60 DO ed dis 50 ACiuStamie. dis 4010 EXPANSIVE BITS Clark’s small, $18; ~~ $26. . -£0&10 Ives. (. S16; 2 2a; o, oe... -..-..---...-_... 5 FILES—New List ney Aas. FOK10 Milenolcowa. ... es. 8. 70 Heller’s Horse Rasps... -60K10 GALVANIZED ‘IRON. Nos. 16 to 20; 22 and 24; 2 and 26; 27. ... 28 List 12 13 14 15 ...... 17 Discount, 70 GAUGES Stanley Rule and Level Co.’s...............0&16 KNOBS—New List Door, mineral, jap. trimmings.... ........- 70 Door, porcelain, jap. trimmings............ 80 MATTOCKS Ame Hee. $16 00, dis 60410 Hunt Bye.........- eee ee $15 00. dis 60&10 Epes. #18 50, dis 20410 MILLS Coffee, Parkers Co.’s. i 40 Coffee, P. S. & W. Mfg. Co. s ; Malleables. _ 40 Coffee, Landers, Perry & Clark’’........... 40 Oomce Enterprise... -.-.--.. 8 30 MOLASSES GATES Stebbins Pattern........--.. ...60&10 Stebbin’s Genuine. . .60&10 Enterprise, self- -measuring . oe 30 NAILS Advance over base, on both Steel and Wire. Steel nalie OGRE. 38. 8 2 of Wire nails, base. . Le eee cere eee Oe 10 to 60 OC 50 Oe ee 60 fone GG... ........ % Oe ee 90 CS... 1 20 Se 1 60 Wee lh lL Case 10.. Se 65 Case fe v5) ee ee ee ee 90 Winten 1000... ... |. 4. Co Oe eee 90 han 6. 10 caa16 70 Clinch §. 80 Oieeh 6... 90) Borcc: <...... e. 13 PLANES One Foo! Co. Ss, faney._....-........_.__... @50 Selgta Gence 60K10 Sandusky Tool Co’s, fancy............--..- @50 Bench, ee @50 Stanley Rule and Level Co.’s wood.. 60 — Fry, Acm oe . 60410410 Common, pada. T0& 5 RIVETS” Iron and Tinned . +. oe Copper Rivets and Burs... . .50&10 PATENT PLANISHED IRON ‘A” Wood's patent planished, Nos. 24 to 2 27 10 20 “Be ’ Wood’s patent planished, Nos. 25 to 27 9 20 Broken packages 4c per pound extra. ag aaa Maydole & Co.’s, new list.. ..dis 333 Kips... ede ies a Ce 2 Yerkes & Plumb’s.. 2 eee, Ce are Mason’s Solid Cast Steel.............30¢ list 70 Blacksmith’s Solid Cast Steel Hand 30c HOUSE FURNISHING GOODS Stamped Tin Ware. -new list 70&10 Japanned Tin We are. 20410 Granite Iron Ware “new list 40410 HOLLOW ) WARE list 40410 eee 6010 Mewes... ...60&10 Spiders .. 60&10 HINGES Gate, Clark's, 1, . dis 60&10 State. Tee per “doz. net 250 WIRE: GooDs Bright... .. “os 80 Ce aaeeaaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 80 Pe i i 80 Gate Hooks and Eyes. 80 LEVELS | Stanley Rule and Level Co.’s. . dis 70 ROPES Sisal, 4 toe and lareer.._............ .... G6 EE 9% ee eel ae ee... 80 yy and Devel... ................. Mitve 0 20 SHEET TRON: com. smooth. com. Noe Mtoe ........... ' #3 50 2 60 Nos. 15 to 17 Se eee co 3 50 2 60 Nos. 18 to She... 2. sess 7. 2 2 80 Nos. 22 to 2 Lee 3 TD 2 90 Nos. ey Gee ee 3 WO) 3 00 No. 2. a. 1 OW 3 10 All sheets No. 18 and lighter, over 30 inches wide not less than 2-10 extra. _ SAND PAPER List acct. 19, .. dis 50 rr Ww EIGHTS Sold Gyves....... per ton 20 00 “TRAPS Steel, Game.. ~~ “Newh ouse 8. Hawley & Norton's s 70810810 Oneida ¢ ‘ommunity, Oneida Community, Mouse, €iamer................ per doz 15 Mouse, dehision................. per doz lL WIRE Bright Merket........ Le 75 Armenia Market... ......... % Coppered Market Late aceon ce 70&10 Tinned Market... si eed ee | Coppered Spring Steel. 50 Barbed Fence, galvanized ........ ......-- 225 Barbed Fence, painted.. 1 90 bsuansinat NAILS” Au Sable. .... .. CO _ eee Northwestern. .. dis 40&1C Lek eues is 5 wet, Oe 1 WRENCHES | Baxter’s Adjustable, nickeled.............. 30 Coe’s Genuine....... eens 50 Coe’s Patent Agric ultural, w rought ee ue. 80 Coes Patent, maliegble .................... 80 MISCELLANEOUS Bird Cages eee 50 Paming, @7eterm.........0. toe 75&10 Screws, New List.. ee cee . 85 Casters, Bed and Plate.. «s+ «.-- JOGEIOGEIO Dampers, American..................... 40410 Forks, hoes, rakes and all steel goods.. 70 —, Zinc 600 pound casks. _. 634 Per pouee. 6% SOLDER 4@4 EE ee 2% r he prices of the many other qualities of solder in the market indicated by private brands vary according to composition. TIN—Melyn ane Hed 1, Chareoal............... _.. $ 6 00 reo Crarveoe)..... 6 00 20x14 IX, Charcoal . eee ee ee ee 14x20 TX, Charcoal........ , cm Each additional X on this grade, $1 Pi TIN--Allaway Grade texte WC Cheveoe!.. ...... 5 25 e720 IC. Charcoal ...... ..... See ce ta cc 1x14 1X Chapeoal .............. 6 25 14x20 IX, Charcoal . . 6 25 Each additional X on this grade, $1.50. ROOFING PLATES Pie IC, Cearcoe!, ORM... ................ 5 00 tovoe IN, Crarooe! (ean......... ....... . 20x28 IC, Charcoal, Dean.. " et ccc a 14x20 IC, Charcoal, All way Grade, ® 14x20 IX, Charcoal, a llaw: ay Grade. ........ 5% 20x28 1C, Charcoal, Allaway Grade........ 9 50 20x28 1X, Charcoal, Allaway Grade......... 11 5G BOILER SIZE TIN PLATE te for No. 8 Boilers, | .. 14x56 IX, for No. 9 Boilers, { per pound.. 9 » Scales! ! Buy direct and save middlemen’s profit. Write for prices and description before les tested and re- Se elsewhere. Satisfaction guaranteed. GRAND RAPIDS SCALE WORKS, pure hasing paired. 39 & 41 S. Front St., Grand ee NANUFACTURERS AND JOBBERS OF... Selling Agts. for Columbian Enameled Steel Ware. Write for Catalogue. Telephone 640. . BRUMMELER & SONS, NWARE 260 South Ionia Street GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. THE MICHIGAN TRADESMAN fy CHIGAN TRADESMAN HAGAN EE Published at the New Blodgett Building, Grand Rapids, by the TRADESMAN COMPANY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR, Payable in Advance. ADVERTISING RATES ON APPLICATION. Communications invited from practical business men. Correspondents must give their full names and addresses, not necessarily for pub- lication, but as a guarautee of good faith. Subscribers may have the mailing address of their papers changed as often as desired. No paper discontinued, except at the option of the proprietor, until all arrearages are paid. Sample copies seut free to any address. Entered at the Grand Rapids Post Office as Second Class mail matter. When writing to any of our Advertisers, please say that you saw the advertisement in the Michigan Tradesman. h, A. STOWE, Eprror. WEDNESDAY, - - = JANUARY 29, 1896. A MOMENTOUS MOVE. If the latest from the East are to be believed, Armenia is to be protected trom the sword of the Turk by the sheltering arm of Russia. An understanding has if there has been no treaty, which virtual- whatever advices been reached, ly gives to Russia control of belongs to Turkish territory,a statement which, if true, is the momentous move which has been, made in the East for years. This method of solving the Eastern problem can hardly be a surprise. The Sultan has long beeu only the shadow of a power behind, not one but many thrones, the umbra of which has _ fallen from the Russian Bear; and when pri- vate interest to believe that the time had come when it could turn to practical account the horrible cond1- tion of the Armenians by shielding them from the scimitar of the Mussel- man, the move made was the one which there every to expect. § it remains now to be seen whether the re sults will be what has so often been pre- dicted. It seems to be taken for granted that the of Christians, which has always been the principal business of the Turk, will be stopped; that relief will be promptly adminis- tered to the suffering, and that life and liberty the territory once under the control of the Sultan. With this phase of the matter dis- posed of, the move on the political chessboard of the Eastern hemisphere becomes of absorbing interest. With the Sultan no longer a king in check most was lead was reason slaughtering will hereafter be respected in Devoted to the Best Interests of Business Men | | } i but a pawn in Russia’s hands, not only, is the Bosphorus guarded by that pawn but the Dardanelles becomes the South- ern outpost of Russia, with the Mediter- ranean Sea as the only available locality for the gathering of unfriendly fleets. ioas. be readily believed, France has entered into this alliance, the two countries, to all intents and pur- poses, will control that inland sea, a condition of things it would be impos- sible in any form for England to regard with indifference. Another feature which this move brings promptly to the front is the bal- ance of the true doctrine of which, over a century ago, William Pitt declared was ‘‘that the influence of Russia should be allowed to in- crease, nor that of Turkey to decline.’’ If this move has been made, it is evi- dent that Russia refuses any longer to accede to that doctrine, both conditions may power not |of whatever follows from what of which will. be as utterly ignored as if they had never been. She has done this with a full knowledge of what the | balance of power in Europe means, and is ready to take the full consequences she has done, however portentous they appear. It is plain that, under the new cir- cumstances, Turkey becomes a Russian province; that the Russian forces will march into Asia Minor, the Asiatic ter- ritory of Turkey; that Russian bayonets will flash in the streets of Constantino- ple; that, the balance of power to the contrary, the material increase of the Russian Empire will go on, and that rot the decline but the annihilation of that pest of, and check to, all Christian civilization, the power and the territory of Turkey, is as certain as sunrise. ' These are a few of the changes made possible by this momentous move. Whether the other great powers of Europe will submit.to this utter repudi- ation of all treaties remains to be seen; but if Russia has at last in gaining possession of Constantinople, it is much to be doubted if all Europe combined will be able to wrest it from her grasp, the last, and by no means the least, result to be expected from the movement said to have been made. succeeded BUSINESS CONDITIONS IMPROVING. It is a relief to be able to note some change in trade and financial conditions from the monotonous waiting of the past few weeks, although the changes may not be all that could be desired as to money and collections. In_ these, however, there is decided improvement in certain localities, and there are signs of improvement in the general market. The most notable advance has been in wheat. This has been so marked, in spite of general bear news, that hope is given of permanent improvement The change ts attributed to the unfavorable news of the wheat resources of