The herald., 1897-10-19
FAKE METHODS
Merchants and ManufaC-
turers Meet
COMPLAINTS OF RETAILERS
DOUBTFUL BUSINESS SCHEMES
DENOUNCED
COMPLAINTS OF RETAILERS
Lively Discussion Of Resolutions
The Association Opposes Boy
cotts-The Laundry Tax

The regular monthly meeting of the
Merchants and Manufacturers associa-
ton was held last evening In their rooms
in the Wilcox block, with large attend
ance of members. President Frank
stated that the object Of the meeting
was to take some action toward the bet
terment of the trade relations of tht
city. Numerous complaints from retail
merchants had come to the association
requesting that something be done to
stop Objectionable schemes adopted by
some of the dealers of the city. While
every man can give away what ne
pleases, he hoped a sentiment will be
created by the association to stop IT.
The president then called upon Mr.
Burnham, who offered the following res
olutions and remarks:
PERTINENT SUGGESTIONS
The board of directors whom you elected
this year have given thir best efforts IN
your service. We have, as you know, fur-
thered important public enterprises which
have met with your approval, and trus'
strengthened your confidence in our ability
to direct our zeal wisely.
We have now in active operation a cam
paign of education on lines calculated, and
we believe sure, to work much beneht to
our manufactures, and indirectly by stlmu-
llating manufacturing enterprises, benefit
every business man OF our city. Municipal
reform has also received share Of our at
ltention, but as yet this field has not been
productive of satisfactory results.
| OF late our directors room has been the
scene of frequent discussion of various
business methods of our merchants for
increasing trade, matters over which we
have no control, but affecting so vitally
every business man in the community that
1t was deemed best to sense the feeling of
the whole association. To this end you
have been urged to come here tonight to
discuss the following resolutions, prepared
by our president, Mr.. Frank:
"Whereas, this association was organ
lied for the purpose Of assisting the mer-
chants and manufacturers in devising and
recommending such trade regulations as
may seem expedient and Of encouraging
the successful prosecution of manufactur-
ing industries and generally of considering
and promoting all steps that will tend to
the prosperity, development and advance
ment of the community; and whereas. the
attention of the officers of this association
has been called to certain trade conditions
thorough harmony Of action is created
among the different merchants in the con-
duct of their respective lines of business
therefore, be it
'Resolved, That the Merchants and Man.
ufacturers' association hereby offers Its
aid and support to inaugurate and main
tain movement aboishing such abuses as
may exist, and to secure the cooperation
of all merchants who are members OF this
association to indorse the action outlined
in these resolutions.
Resolved, That 1t is the sense of the
members of this association that the fol-
lowing evils in trade conditions now ex-
listing should be remedied, and the mer
chants be requested to indorse these reso-
lutions and carry out the following agree.
ment: To abolish the practice of false rep
reservations 81 values in advertisements
to refrain from engaging employees unless
such employees possess recommendations
from former employers, and alluring clerks
away from other merchants; to abolish the
practice of giving premiums or prizes, and
thereby main tanning a lottery In disguise
to abstain from painting announcements
of sales on show windows, and thereby Gre
ating the impression on visitors of unfa-
vorable trade conditions in this city; to
abolish the sale of goods below cost; to re-
fuse all patronage to travelling advertis-
ing schemes; to decline reduction OF prices
on mere statements of customers; to post
pone all clearance sales until the end OF
the season; to abolish discounts to club
schemes; and it is further
Resolved, That in view of the fact that
many articles of merchandise are affected
by the new tariff bill, and consequently an
advance in prices on large number of ar
ticles must be met in the near future pres
ent stocks should be sold at regular prices;
that more dignitied spirit should prevail
among the merchants, in order to main
tain for this city the reputation Of a COM
mercial center, and thereby prevent the
appearance of laboring under a forced bust
ness condition; that all merchants prose
cute all employees found guilty of theft OF
dishonesty, and also prosecute to the full
est extent all persons guilty of shop-lift-
ing"
The day has gone by when dollars car
be conjured in trade without exertion and
expenditure of brain force.
Time was when the commercial field OF
action was not so crowded and profits were
SO large business methods mattered little
Now it Is different. Competition was never
so keen in the worlds history as today
Business never SO exacting. Nowhere can
we now find scope for a higher order OF
profound thought than in mercantile pur-
suits. No longer can the merchant buy
his wares, m ark them at a goodly profit
and sit in the shade waiting for trade;
he must be up and hustling for 1t and keeI
moving with no break in the gait The field
that excuses one business venture soon
has two, If not three or four. In the early
ages war was the business of the world
today business Is the war of the world
and no quarter is given. 1t Is the survival
Of the fittest. We make no plea for peace.
All progress in the world, past and present,
has been and still is along the line of bitter
struggle. But let the battle be honorably
waged; fair struggle, no foul blows.
Goods can be sold by fake methods and
deceptive schemes but 1t is not business.
The essence of business is honesty. dis
honest commercial transaction is unbusi-
nesslilSe.
David said in his haste, "All men are
liars" If we scan trade advertisements
read of the unprecedented values" over
stocked. goods slaughtered" "our loss Is
your gain,' rates runously low" "stocks
less than cost" goods given away" etc.,
etc., we must draw the conclusion that
either many business men are bankrupt
or on the verge of It or that old David In
his day and generation need not have
backed oars and blamed himself for being
hasty.
The concentrated wisdom Of the ages
tells us In one of the old adages that there
Is nothing half SO easy as lying. Granted
LIT calls for little waste Of the gray mat.
ter Of our brain tissues. but does It pay
we'll enough in the long run to give 1t place
in the machinery of trade?
The advertiser who is not able to fulfill
the promises Of his truth-distorted bid
for business. who each time disappointa
II ya~uar IN 0a <hap no t,1oa sac ~aiIt