Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-21
The RETAIL GR0CERSi
- az u.
MEET HERE IN. OCTOBER TO FORM
A STATE ASSOCIATION.
ORGANIZER STEVENS TALKS.
he Tells of the Great Work That Has
Been Accomplished by National
Organization, and Hopes to See
Virginia In Line.

In an interview with National Orga-
nicer Stevens yesterday, he stated to
a reporter Of the Dispatch that the Ma
tionar Association of Retail Groeers was
organized at Chicago during the World S
Fair, but for about seven years 1t made
little or no progress A convention was
called in Cleveland in 1900 that assumed
considerable proportions, owing to a
detrimental to their interests. chief OF
which was the parcels post bill. How
ever, there were only five State associa-
tons then organized, and some OF them
were scarcely worthy Of the name
There are now twenty-four- State or
CARNATIONS, which proves that in two
years and half we have been improving
somewhat lively. Several of those States
represent about one hundred local or
gnpiza tons in their cities and towns.
bers in towns and villages not large
enough to maintain local association.
I'VE are now. inaugurating in the orsa-
niZed States" said Mr.. Stevens, "a coun-
ty PIN. making the county seat the
headquarters and inviting the merchants
there to meet the organizers In our
initial efforts we cannot do that. but
when we organize it is expected that the
State Association will put an organizer
in the field and continue the work.
die.
MANY ORGANIZATIONS FAILED.
I'm the past there have been Hundreds
OF attempts at retail gr9ssrs and gene
Stevens went on, but In the vast ms
jority OF cases they only resulted in
failure The reason was that the isolated
association was little better than
the individual. Many OF the evils the
Character that the local association
could not remove them They needed
State and national associations to COM
pare conditions. to formulate plans. and
to put them in touch with their brother
merchants 50 that they could act with
the force and power OF a unit"
There is not one local association now
l.psins where hundreds did formerly
Their annual meetings tend to bring
and opinion. is a great factor in weld
Ing them closer together. The national
association so far has been largely main
tanned by contributions from nanufac-
turers who believe that the elevation and
permanence of the retailer would re-
>tional convention was held In liilwaukee.
Wis. in January. The next will be in
Kansas City January &c. q. and g 1898
Statistics will prove that where the
failures in this line of business (which
has always furnished the LARGEST pep
cAntaxe) have materially decreas sgd.
That is an advaptaSs to the whoissa Ter,
the manufacturers, and the IMMUNITY.
PROJECTS THE PUBLIC.
The national association has taken a
firm stand to protect the public against
the sale of impure foods. raishranded.
and short weight goods. It presented a
bill in Congress to make all mannfac-
sturers liable for all adulterants instead
OF the innocent retailer. and while 1t
did not PAS, the measure Il succeeded
in holding up. enc that would have
been anything but accepsa BILE.
g There are State associations in Illtno1..
Minnesota. New Jersey. iowa. North and
South Dakota Ohio Ind iena. Kentucky.
Michigan. West VIrsinta. AIassachuse It's.
Missouri California. New York. Texas
Connecticut. Nebraska. Colorado. Ar
kansas. Wisconsin. and Georgia. ana ~.
hope to see Virginia join this splendid
galaxy of States. 80
ORGANIZERS ATSwoRE.
The towns that have been, ar5wilf be-.
visited III Virginia ara Petersburg.
sCharlott esville. staunten. Iarr.sonhurg
Lexington. CT ftnn Forge cnvinxton.
Yytheville. Pulaski. Radfend. Roanoke,s
Salem Bedford City. kynchbufx. Dan