The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-08-10
TO ENCOURAGE HOME TRADE.

Trade room Wednesday to meet Mr..
Parker, of Minneapolis, secretary of
the Home Trade Association, was not
largely attended, many manufacturers
and any amount of retailers who
should have been interested enough
financially in,the matter to at least
be present, not putting in an appear
ance.
President John A. Willard, of the
Home Trade Association, presided
and explained the object of the meet
ing, which was for the purpose of in
teresting our citizens in the home
trade movement. The central asso-
citation had been organized at Mime
apolis few months ago. The mat
ter was of greater Importance than
anything he knew Of. The scheme
involves a laudable selfishness, in
tended to build up our own North
western country instead of sections in
which we are not interested. The
success of the plan would mean mil
lions to the Northwest, and every
man will stand chance of getting
some of this money. The consumers
must be interested, and the manufac-
turerS and retailers can work up a
loyalty among them. The idea must
be kept continually before the people.
1t is the plan to have goods purchased
when price and quality are equal, and
it is not expected that anybody shall
pay more. The success of the move
ment would mean the employment of
thousands Of men in the Northwest
not now employed, and would be a
benefit to us all, not more so to the
Twin Cities than to Mankato and
elsewhere.
Mr.. Willard then introduced Mr..
Parker, who gave a history of the
movement in this state. 1t was
copied from similar movement which
has existed successfully in Nebraska
for three years. That organization is
known as the Nsbraska Manufacturers
and Consumers Association, and is
operated largely in The interest Of the
manufacturers, and not to encourage
home trade so much as the cOnsump-
tiOn OF home goods. Mr.. Parker read
a number of letters from manufactu-
rers, who bore testimony to the sue
cess of the movement, which resulted
in direct benefit to them. He then
explained the kinds of membership,
one being a general active member
ship, consisting of all who sign and
pay the fee. For each five members,
the city is entitled to one director.
The second kind of membership is
that in local associations, which may
be organized anywhere to prosecute
the work locally. The president of
these local associations are eX officio
members of the general association.
Mr.. Parker explained that it would
be in line with the work of the local
association to take up such matters as
the awarding of the heating contract
in the Jail to local bidder, and any
public or private contract. This is
done in the way of weight brought to
bear in the direction of keeping that
work at home. Mr.. Parker stated
that he had greater pleasure in visit
ing this city from the fact that in
President Willard he had an active
and able co-worker.
A number of questions were asked
and answered, showing that the SYM
pathy of those presest was with the
movement. Mr.. Parker stated that
an effort is being made to have the
goods used in the sixteen public insti-
buttons in the state purchased at
home, and he read letter from Gov.
Nelson showing his interest in this.
Retail dealers who belong to the as
ISOLATION are given cards to hang up
in their places of business. The local
associations are to send annually S25
each to the general association, to
permit it to prosecute it's work. 1t is
difficult to reach the farmers and in
terest them, except through the
newspapers, and'this is being done, by
the friendly cooperation of the papers
all over the state.
After some discussion, it was voted
to hold another meeting, at 900, a. m.
Friday, at the city hall, on which oc-
casion it is hoped TO have large at
tendance, and when steps will be
taken to form an organization, with
out doubt. 1t was urged that the
ladies ought to turn out, as they are
largely the buyers for the households,
and if they are interested in the home
trade movement it will be an easy
matter to have their husbands do
their purchasing at home.
Mr.. Parker will consult many of
our business men in the meanwhile.
"
WHILE there are many rumors to
to the effect that the tariff conference