Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-03-13

of the whole community he told of
a conversation he had had with
several of the Chicago delegates, who
expressed themselves as delighted
with Rock Islands hospitality. and
| surprised with the beauty and up-to-
dateness of the city and it's people.
remarking that Chicago was not the
whole thing. as they had always
thought ii was. He said that while
the tendency was toward organization,
he did not just agree with aremark he
had heard, that the others were
organized in opposition to the mer-
chants, yet he believed the mer-
chants got beat more than any
other class of business men. Refer
ring to the city ordinance vesting in
the mayor authority to grant gratis
license to INDECENT persons to peddle,
he said in many cases he was unable
to discern between the deserving and
the undeserving persons. and realized
that in many instances parties secured
permits who were not entitled to
them. But he saw the one remedy in
removing the granting power.
How to Conduct Business.
There followed an instructive talk
by b. ID. Connolly on how to conduct
a retail business. MIR. Connolly said
that while he had no experience in
that line, he was only able to tell what
he believed were the proper princ Piles
to live up to. He believed the BUSH
ness man should thoroughly familiar
ize himself with every detail of his
business, so that he could take hold of
any end of it. He should know accu-
rately the amount of stock on hand,
and what was wanted and what was
not wanted. Courtesy toward his pa
irons was another essential feature.
He ought at all times to be pleasant and
approachable. 1t was not the mer-
chant who made sudden splurge who
was always successful. IL was the
one who kept everlastingly at it. grow
ing slowly but surely. And, above
all. he should be honest. Mr.. Con-
nelly was in sympathy with the or
gaaization of the merchants. for while
individual effort was all right, more
could be done and done better by
united effort.
The discussion turned from the
serious to the gay, w. B. Mcintyre
being called upon to talk upon sub
ject of his own choosing, and he re-
sponded with his usual store of With
cisms, relating personal experiences.
he had had, and advising the mer'
chants as to the better means Of
meeting adversely. Mr.. Mcintyre
said it was poor policy for one to tell
his troubles. He was better of who
kept them to himself. Above all, he
should keep on friendly terms with
his neigh bors. He shouldn't watch
his rival. 1t only increased his worry.
Mr.. Mcintyre said Rock Island was
growing, property values were on the
rise. In fact. we were living in
community, the real importance of
which we did not fully appreciate.
Merchants Day and Rate Book.
At the conclusion of the speech
making, there was a general discus
the stores all closed and the business
people went on an excursion to Rock
ford. All favored the setting apart
of one day each year to be known as
Merchants day. w. c. Maucker ex-
planned the workings of the rate book
system that is in vogue in lesburg,
and which may be adopted here. He
said it would probably cost each
member of the association $l2 year.
In it were recorded the names and
standing of every resident of the city.
1t was a system that protected the
dealer and the honest poor, and fer
reted out those updeserviDg of credit.
1t was decided to invite Mr.. Olson,
who conducts the system at Gales
burg. to attend the next meeting of
the Rock Island association.
During the evening a delightful
musical program was furnished by
the talented children of George
Schneider, Minnie, Josie and Freddie,
who furnished piano and violin selec-
lions, and were assisted by their
father in the rendition of several
songs.
A rising vote of thanks to all who
assisted in making the banquet sue
cess.