The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-01


ing their trade; that they propose to
retaliate for Sacramento running ex-
cursion trains to and from the places
named to this city to sell to the resi-
dents thereof bankrupt stocks.
Il hope to be able at future meet
ing to present to you some further facts
and figures relating to the department
store evil.
Until then, shall leave the question
with you, feeling that you will give II
the attention its Importance demands.
There are two propositions which
must be considered at this time, but as
they are closely allied they may be
| treated as one. The Sunday closing
and early closing movements demand
attention, and | trust that some ade-
quate provision will be made ere long
| for the observance of custom that
has long been in vogue in the cities of
the East and central West.
| Il take it that if the business men of
| this city take the initiative and reach
an agreement whereby retail stores and
shops shall be closed on Sundays and
at o'clock on evenings, except on Sat
urday night, it will be far more effect
i've and enduring than if left to the
clerks and employees to bring about the
desired result.
Then there is much to be sought in
the way of municipal legislation that
will be Of material benefit to the mer-
chant. So there is much for the Bust
ness Mems Association to accomplish
and the only way to accomplish it is by
untiring and well-directed effort
HEARTY ENDORSEMENT.
Chairman Purnell said that the mat
ter contained in Mr.. Frankel's article
would apply directly to Sacramento
and that women clerks in department
stores We're paid but about So a week
whereas in others they received from
So to $50 a week
E. M. Leitch submitted that the es-
say just read had not been dashed of
on the spur of the moment, but thai
its composition had required a great
deal Of thought. In order that it might
be preserved for reference for any or
ganization which might be perfected
he moved that it be received and placed
on file.
The motion met with the unanimou:
approval of those present.
MERCHANT DAVIS VIEWS.
Trustee James CT. Davis being called
upon, said he had taken interest in Sc
curing the adoption of an ordinance t
increase the cost OF a license for de
partment stores. He had been a resi-
dent of Sacramento for nearly forty
one years, and during that time hat
had a department store under his yer.
eyes. He had seen it, he said draggins
business down and crushing on
the independent merchants, and it wa
but matter of time until there woult
be none of the latter left. He hat
formerly thought that buildings aloni
the business streets of the city wer
intended to be let for stores, but at tn
, present time it was impossible to fin
q tenant for one except for saloon pur
poses.
The department store, he said, was
worse scourge than the cholera or tn
smallpox, inasmuch as it struck at tn
very life of business, and meant rui
and desoIation to every industry in tn
city. He ventured the prediction tina
in two years time there would no
be, other than department stores,
half-dozen in the city. In five year
he had lost $1,000 in his business. H
was unable to make it pay, and ha
disposed of his stock, and only hope
that his successor might prove NOR
/ fortunate than he had been. He ha
been informed that buildings on Stat
l. street in Chicago were being offere
for S1S a month, which went to sho'
| that department stores are running tina
: city. and Sacramento could expeC
i nothing less.
-, Ii 1+41 !
I the necessity of organization. He di
not have on his person, he said,
D single article purchased from a depart
e ment store, and the same rule woul
? apply at his home He used his pos
i ton to instruct his employees that non
< of their money was expected to g
! into the pockets of those who worke
i against their employers business il
| terests If the merchants and bushes
2 men, he thought, would instruct the
| families to refrain from patronizing de
e partment stores it would be a step
the right direction, and it was ais
y their duty to use their best endeavol
= to convert others to their manner
{ thinking.
4 Mr.. Davis said the method of depar-
> ment stores was to mark below co:
Il articles carried in stock by an ind
: vidual dealer, their proprietors bein
: crafty enough to know that what We
: lost on that particular article would !
made up on the seventy-five others the
Il carried BY this means the individui
: dealer who carried but one line
i goods was soon frozen out
CHARLES NJ. CAMPBELL DOUBT
Full.
/ Being called upon for an expressio
5 of opinion. Charles NJ. Campbell sal
he was in sympathy with any move
: ment which would alleviate the distre:
: felt among the merchants of the cit
. but was doubtful whether the ev
u could be successfully combatted. +
u did not believe it possible to overcon
= the money power behind the depar
/ ment stores 1t was, he said, discou
u aging to see the vacant stOreroon
e along street, but that was hardly
e be wondered a. when it was know
that clerks in department stores d
! as much work for from S24 to So
3 month as does his clerk, who receive
n SO.
ADVISES EDUCATION.
81 A. J. Pommer advocated patronizin
IS other than department stores, yet sui
o mitted that to get others to do SO we
IL a matter of education. AT present II
IL paorIa Of tho citv advanced the theOf