The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-05
BUSINESS MEMS CRUSADE.
Chicago Merchants Reorganize to
Fight Departm Stores

Ab @OReNA 1AAOh@ 0bOAOS-
Chicago, Nov. 5.-The Cook County
Business Mems association was organ
lied at the Great Northern hotel yester-
day. That was accomplished on a basis
of ward and precinct organization, which
it is anticipated will become a power in
local politics. The first test of strength
will be in the next legislative campaign.
An enactment for the restriction of de-
partment stores will be demanded at the
next session of the legislature, and the
smaller merchants are determined to be
a factor in next years campaign and
elect candidates on anti-department store
issues.
1t was decided to employ in the mean
time an associate attorney to assist Cor
poration Counsel Thornton in upholding
the Duddleston department store license
ordinance
Under the new plan the business men Of
Chicago are banded together not only to
fight department stores, but to resist un-
equal taxation, suppress child labor and
cooperate with trades unions for the
betterment of wage earners.
over the meeting, which was harmoni-
Gus, William F. Gilman presided. With
the passing of the old association came
the unanimous adoption of resolutions
which declared the necessity of organiza>
ton in order to maintain business; recit-
ed the advantages of such cooperation,
and asserted that business men in varied
lines must take common issue against
men and concerns who are building up
monopolies.
The resolutions went on to state fol-
lows the objects of the organization:
1. To promote harmony and unity of
purpose among the business men of Cook
county through organization.
2 To elevate the standard of trade
through exposure of the tricks and sharp
practices of the department stores.
g. To protect the public against adulter-
ations.
4. To foster education by suppression Of
child labor.
5. To assist the trades and labor unions
in upholding their standard and encour-
aging thorough training in manual and
technical pursuits.
6. To aid the professions in maintaining
and elevating their standards for the pub
lie welfare and the improvement of the
practice in the arts and sciences
T. To resist unequal taxation.
g. To regulate the sale of merchandise
on the natural lines of separation as re-
quired by hygienic and moral considera-
tions.
9. To enforce all statutes and ordinances
that will protect the lives and the health
of the public against the monopolies and
the misrepresentation of the depart
ment stores.
TO- To initiate legislation designed to inn-
prove the status of the business men and
to promote the candidacy Of persons 1r>
revocably pledged to these objects and
purposes.
William F. Stanton, retired merchant
of 20 years experience in Chicago, pro-
posed plan of mutual advertising TO
compete with department stores He Ia
vored a bargain day for smaller mer-
chants the announcement to be made IN
advance in page advertisements mer-
chants to share equal in space and as
sessments. Mr.. Stanton said the news
papers kept the department stores alive
by announcing bargains which attracted
patrons He was at work on a definite
plan which in substance recommends an
immense display advertisement, with par
gain prices and special sale OF certain
goods on a specified date. followed by a
list of retail stores where the bargain
can be obtained. The idea met with 1aNof
and Mr. stanton was authorized to per
feet his plan and report it at the next
meeting, at the same place, December 2
Organizers will be assigned to work IN
various districts beginning with the FIRST
ward