The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-06

SHOULD HELP EACH OTHER.
TT we need statutory laws to restrain error,
and encourage integrity, we also need eou-
cation and example to stimulate and roster
better business conceptions and trade GUS
toms. The lack Of interest shown in his bus
mess success by those who reasonably could
be expected to manifest some concern, has
discouraged many a merchant and led to a
failure which might easily have been avoid
ed by helpful suggestions and thoughtful
counsel from the very house whose impulsive
action has precipitated the assignment. The
absence of this cooperative and friendly
interest in the past has reared barrier be-
tween debtor and creditor which has caused
each to look with suspicion on the other.
more ideal condition promises to become es-
tablished as the result Of our association. The
commingling of credit men with one another
socially, the intimate discussion of the broad
principles OF business and credit, and the
closer study of customs and practices, has
led to a moderation in trade jealousies and
suspicious and created more complete real
ization Of the cardinal factors of prosperity.
1t is recognized as Infinitely better to retain
an old merchant and endow him with new
ideas and methods. than 1t is to force his
retirement and the occupation of his place
by a new customer with the same old ways. l
am informed that 1t is becoming much
more of a practice among credit men when
a customer gets behind In his payments to
analyZe his condition and to investigate the
cause of the trouble, and to then render him
the advice and assistance necessary to the
credit men are not near so difhdent as
formerly in requesting a property statement.
which after all, is the sole barometer OF a
merchants condition, and are more free In
counseling the curtailment of expenses, the
collection of outstanding accounts, the re-
duction of stock, the addition of more CAPT
tall or any other action which seems essential
to business success.
RETAILERS RECOGNIZE 1T.
This is exceedingly gratifying, and speaks
volumes for the influence of our association
and the future of trade intercourse What
has been done modestly In individual cases
the association, as an organization has en-
deavored to do upon more stupendous scale
with ability, persistency and judgment.
Through the abundance ard helpfulness of
the literature which we have circulated we
have given publicity to the most modern apd
successful methods of business conduct. In
the adoption of our property statement blanks
we have endeavored to save the merchant
from the annoyance of being subjected to
dozens of various styles, all different in their
directed his attention to the particular COIL
siderations which largely determine success
or failure. Shall we, as an association, stop
here or go logically one step further? It is
impossible for merchant to give accurate
and comprehensive statement of his condition
unless he keeps his books with intelligence
and regularity. This is done today by the
minority of merchants; in fact, it is the one
irregularity against which credit men have
most TO contend. An imperfect knowledge of
affairs is the ruination of most merchants.
tically no books, and largely SO OF those who