Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-10

WASHINGTON, December s.--Hon.
John Wanamaker to-day testified be-
fore the Industrial Commission on the
subject of department stores. He
claimed that these stores were henefi-
eial to society, having a substantial
economic and moral basis for their
existence.
1T is, he continued, "a natural pro-
duct evolved from conditions that ex-
list as result of fixed trade laws.
Cheaper capital, better transportation,
more rapid communication make the
modern retail store possible, natural
and useful; therefore. inevitable
Economy in the expenditure OF
money. time and effort measure de-
partment store success. Just In pro-
portion as these ends are reached Is ii
popular, powerful and prosperous"
He contended that the effect OF the
creation of these stores had been to
reduce retail prices. In support OF
this statement, he asserted that upon
American dry goods generally the re-
tailer's percentage of profits
Has Been Reduced one-HaIf
during the last twenty years. This
was also true upon wooden, silk and
cotton fabrics. The total per cent. OF
reduction in prices to the consumer
could not be stated, owing TO the vary
ing standards of qualities and tastes
and improvements In manufacture, but
Mr.. Wanamaker believed that the con-
sumner saves the entire reduction In
the retailers profit.
In some articles, definite compare
sons OF prices were made.
1t could also be stated, he said, that
the profits of the great retail stores
vary from 3 TO 6 per cent. on the doll
lar OF business done.
Mr.. Wanamaker argued that reduced
prices stimulate consumption and Increase
employment More labor was required for
production transportation and distribu-
ton. The public service was the sole basic
condition of the growth of the retail busi-
ness. The variety of articles dealt in was
such that Il was impossible to form COM
binations and trusts in the retail business
1t was much the same as the Journalistic
and other learned professions
The only advantage OF the large store
over the small was to be found IN the
Superiority of Its Service.
Il was also true generally that the en-
ploye In q large store was better or than
the proprietor Of small store. Some Of
them were paid $500 year. and many
5000. Speaking of the effect OF the CON-
bination stores on small slsop-lfeepers. be
said it could not be denied that one Of the
effects OF the big stores had been TO retire
from business small retailers. But he con-
tended that while this was true. the inter-
ests of these few people were not to be
compared with the interests OK the mass
of the people. He classified the present
large city store as merely an enlargement
OF the general cross roads country store.
and the greatest advantage found Ia them
was that they eliminated adventurers and
spectators from tho business.
do not the large retailers often make .
point OF buying UP bankrupt stocksgP be
was asked.
III they do they are children merchants
or IDIOTS" the witness replied lie went on
to say that he had been Of this class until
within ten or twelve years ago but he had
changed his methods in recent years. In
had discovered that the people Old not
want debris such as bankrupt stocks are.
The great demand was for new things. and
often goods were considered old which had
not been on the shelves for more than
thirty days He also argued that the pro-
perry conducted store WIS., a university
educating the employees not only in writing.
spelling. etc, but IN morals. Men were
often discharged for lying 10 customers.
Mr. Wanamaker said that when he had
first gone into business he had thought
well to do his own manufacturing. but f1a
had abandoned the iGea. finding Il preftr~
able to be able
TO Go Into the Open Market.
He did not believe n selling goo6s az lesa
than cost as mere bait, and expressed
the opinion that the store which followed
this practice expected TO make W The loss
on some other article where the advance
would not be suspected
Referring TO the advance made BY tho
American manufacturers II making WOOL
ens. Mr. wanamaksr said:
I'VE don't need the French longer in THIS
work. France can 60 to war with England
II she 50 desires-ws would not miss her,
How about Eusland2
II ssoald rather so TO the Paris expo9t-
ton than 10 go 70 war with England. r
am too fond Of Joe Chamberlain, who IL
doing 80 mach talking these days"
Ia the large stores the purchaser OF
large quantities had no advantage over tina
buyer Of q small quantity. The mall order
business had not BEEN found profitable. He
considered women quite al useful as men
II, many places In large stores. ard IN sona
instances women employees were paid a.
high as 600.
In reply 70 question the witness said
thar he believed the liking Of q god basis
for the finances of Ehe country ard tho
proper regulation Or the tariff 50 that It
would stay regulated. would mark a step
Of progress n the interest Of the business
OF the country. He also sheaShs ths
trssta aaould Be Requested :