The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-04
MERCHANTS
UNION.
]. E. Bernstein Argues in
Favor. of Consolidation
Of Business Clubs.
NO LIMIT TO ITS POWER
He Thinks a Large Organiza-
ton Would Do Incalcu-
liable Good.

An agitation in favor Of consolidating
all the various merchants and business
mems associations has been going or
among members sof these organizations
for some time. Committees have been ap-
pointed TO investigate the ACCESSIBILITY OF
such a consolidation
Joseph Bernstein, who is leader of the
movement in the Merchants Protective
Association and who has given the sub
ject careful study. was asked for his
opinions. He gives out the following ar
guments in favor of the scheme:-
consolidation appears to be one of the
most important agitations of today. The
ACCESSIBILITY of amalgaUetfng ali the bust
ness mems association of Jersey City into
one great powerful organization mas been
discussed for some tine. l say 1t Is one
of the wisest OF Suggestions, and one that
is bound to be followed with good, + u
and beneficial results 10 all business men
as well as their employees, be they inter-
ested in Il small or large way in mer-
chandise.
The question of such a consolidation
has already been met fayorably by the
average merchant, whose advice | have
sought, upon this important matter.
The sooner such u plan IS presented,
approved and adopted, the sooner such a
movement will come. into actual per-
manence.
"By so attending these meetings people
realize their Importance. IT IS a school
of knowledge. \ thorough knowledge or
even the slightest knowledge on the part
OF merchants in their lines Of business
helps to bring out the faculty and stir
up thought.
MANY men and women are inclined to
give so much dignity to the word educa-
ton. that they are apt 10 forget us ma
ture. They think of it in connection
with colleges. A;ga schools. paid teach
err and the scaoal committee and all the
sofemnities of lice.
But business education is the daily air
we breathe. 1t begins IN swaddiirg
clothes. and ends in death, or If our COM
mon faith proves true, never ends at all.
So 1 say, all merchants are educators.
The more merchants we ind to work out
plans and theories, T9dEresent such plans
to our session to be argued pro and con,
the more WI will learn. And don't let
us wander away from the fact that the
poorest merchants at times are good
teachers.
sWhat could not one great body of men
representatives Of any and al KINDS OF
business accomplish in legislation and mu-
nieipal matters. In unity there IS
strength.
Let US consolidate into one big power
full business mems organization, and all
will realize within short notice what
benefit 1t will be to his business, to his
employees. to the city, to patrons and TO
the community at large.
THE most far-Seeing merchants in this
country advocate consolidation of retail
organizations. The press mas given much
time and space to the agitation of this
question.
Much aas been said on the part of our
journalists, describing the benefits of con-
solidating business mems organizations
for the Greater Jersey City, while such
an agitation might not very cordially be
received by men of certain minds and
the community at large.
say IN defense Of the agitation of
such a wide, beneficial project. be honest
and sincere, nothing which spreads knowl-
edge can be anything but a help to mem
tai force-and if you say that the press
Is not truthful and full of misinformation,
i say, how much better for the world is
part of truth, part of good wholesome
advice, than no truth nor agitation at
all.
"And now as to the outlook of bust
ness prosperity for the average merchant.
I feel confident that the great improve
ment in the business situation has only
begun.
THE outlook for the average man looks
brighter and better, there will be no hard
times for years, busines promises to be
as good next year and from now on as
1t ever has been in this country. probably
better, and we have every reason to ex-
pect a long period of peace, prosperity and
happiness"