The herald., 1897-10-17
EVILS TO BE OVERCOME
LOCAL TRADE RELATIONS IN
NEED OF IMPROVEMENT
Merchants to Consult a. to Ways and
Means for Doing Away With
Obnoxious Customs

For some time past many complaints
have been made by the different mer-
chants as to the practices employed by
public. 1t was stated that the devices
used. to induce the public to buy their
merchandise were not considered legiti-
mate means Of advertising or conducting
those who did not feel inclined to follow
the tactics Of their competitors in offer
ing unusual inducements.
This matter has been prominently and
emphatically brought to the notice Of the
board of directors Of the Merchants and
Manufacturers association, and that
body, at recent meetings. discussed
some means by which better feeling
among the merchants could be estab
lished and the Objectionable evil prac
tices could be abolished.
1t was deemed by the board Of directors
that no action on their part could be
binding upon the merchants in the con-
duct of their respective lines Of business;
and In order to obtain an expression on
this important subject from the mer-
chants the board has decided to submit
at the meeting Of the association tomor-
row evening the following resolutions:
Whereas, this association was organ
lied for the purpose Of assisting the
merchants and manufacturers in devils
ing and recomme ending such trade regu-
lations as may seem expe dient, and of
encouraging the successful prosecutor
Of manufacturing industries, and gen.
orally of considering and promoting all
steps that will tend to the prosperity,
development and advancement of the
community, and
Whereas. the attention Of the officers
Of this association has been called to
certain trade conditions that may be i'm
proved and remedied if a thorough har.
mony of action is created among the
different merchants in the conduct Of
their respective lines of business.
Therefore, be it resolved, that the
Merchants and Manufacturers associa-
tion hereby offers its aid to support and
inaugurate and maintain a movement
abolishing such abuses as may exist, and
to secure the corporation of all mer-
chants who are members Of this associa-
ton to endorse the action outlined in
these resolutions.
Resolved, That It 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 endorse these
resolutions and carry out the following
agreem emit:
To abolish the practice Of false repre-
sentation of values in advertisements.
To refrain from engaging employees
unless such employees possess recon-
mendations from former employers, and
from alluring clerks away from other
merchants.
To abolish the practice Of giving pre-
miums or prizes, and thereby maintain
| ing lottery in disguise.
To abstain from printing announce
| ments of sales on show windows, and
thereby acknowledgements on visit
ors Of unfavorable trade ee#ditions in
this city, ysrauoD Us 3ron
To abolish the sale Of goodAbelow cost.
To refuse all patronage oto travelling
advertising schemes. 2 fsaasT
To decline reduction of prices on mere
statements of customers.
To postpone all clearance sales un It'll
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 articles
must be met in the near future, present
stocks should be sold at regular prices
That a more dignified spirit should
prevail among the merchants in order
to maintain Tor this city the reputation
of commercial center, and thereby pre-
vent the appearance of laboring under a
forced business condition.
That all merchants prosecute all en-
ployes found guilty of theft or dishon-
esty, and also prosecute to the fullest
extent all persons guilty of shop-lifting
r. W. Burnham will introduce the
matter to the meeting by carefully
prepared paper and the discussion on
the subject will be then open to debate
by the members. Refreshments will be