The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-23
sugg, stlons for Merchants Week.
To N, Editor o., the Neor

TO m, Editor Of the Neios
AS the Rhode Island Business Mems assoc
citation has decided to devote a day or two 10
entertaining out-of-town merchants. & Q
question arose in my mind If IL would not be
better TO make il a week, ms "Merchar Is
Week. implies, instead OF a day or two; nd
as il has been decided to at least have sou a.
thing of the kind, would 1t not be better 10
expend a little more time and money a d
make il much more of a success.
Ny idea would be To set the time very soon,
then publish say, $500 programs, giving each
days program. and have envelopes addressed
and a short time before the week set apart,
ave them mailed to the leading merchal Is
I'm New England. as well as some more remote
that some of our merchants may wish an in
v~itation sent. Make the first page of the pre-
gram read something rs follows: You are
cordially invited To be present In Providence.
II. L., on Merchants Week."
The date should be when the American band
is at home. For different days might be sug-
gested an excursion down the bay on the New
York steamer, another day a shore dinner
down the bay. another day a joint concert in
Infantry hall by the American and National
bands. and another day a military aud trades
parade In the evening. / do not wish 10 con-
vey the impression that we should entertain
our guests in this way all the time, but simply
for "a short time each day, and the rest of the
time let the heads Of our business houses en-
terrain them by taking them through their
stores and displaying their goods.
While the jobbing trade would probably be
the most benefited. yet our retail trade
should make their stores as attractive as pos
utlla aud nna. fhen for inQppctinn
lam OF the opinion that we need at least
ss5,oO to defray necessary expenses. and
while no doubt our leading merchants would
subscribe the largest part of this sum, yet 1
would suggest that each of our daily news
papers open a popular subscription list. by
which means many of our retail dealers as
well ~ many of our clerks who have the in
terests of their employers at heart might
subscribe small sums down 20 one dollar.
A committee should be appointed to confer
with the railroads and steamboats, for excur-
sion rates for all people buying n ticket TO
Providence and return, and the round-trip
tickets should not he more than one fare and
a third. We should also make arrangements
with our hotels for special rates for our guests.
We should establish headquarters for that
week at Music hall.
Let the whole Dusltiess portion OF the city
put on holiday attire. giving the out-of-town
merchants such a royal welcome that they
will return home well satisfied with their visit
for boy such means Is trade acquired. Let our
joLbers have rs many of their travelling men
AT home that week as possible, in order to
entertain many who may he our future Gus
toners.
II we make this beginning n success we may
he able To turn much of the grocery. dry
goods, boot and shoe and other trade of New
England (Which Providence Is geographically
situated 10 servel from Boston and New York
into the natural channels. Lot us also erect
an arch at the foot of Westminster street,
bearing the word Welcome and let our
downtown storekeepers display the same
word In their show windows.
In short, let us each and every one put our
shoulder 10 the wheel, thereby strengthening
our reputation for being the most hospitable
city in the United states. u.
PAU PRooRrss. :
Prevalence. May %. lsQl.