The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-02-20
George L. Thomssen Gives Some Ad-
vice to Gr0cers.
Misleading Advertising Is One OF the
dishonest Methods.
Resolution Committee Makes Its Re-
port to Convention.
Delegates Discuss a Variety of Sub
jecis- Smoke Social.

From Wednesdays Daily.
The Retail iGrocers and General
Merchants association did not get
down to business until late this morn.
ing, partly on account of the GOODNESS
of the hall.
The report OF the finance committee
was read by Fred. Lorenz, chairman.
At the beginning of 1900 the associa-
ton was in 9ebt $3.50. During that
wear the committee was able to eNtln-
guish the debt, and also there was
about 81, see provided for the work of
organization and conducting thetbusi-
ness of the state association This
was due largely through the co-cpera-
ton OF the jobbers Of the state. The
affairs of the association are ia SnoSt
excellent condition.
J. T Norm presented the report OF
the committee on legislation. 1T had
been deemed unwise to introduce the
bill again at this session Of the aegisla-
ture to require the board of control to
purchase all grocery supplies of Min
nesota EPobberS. The board is doing
this largely now.
The report explained the tive garn-
ishment bills and the trading stamp
bill now before the legislature, and
which it hoped would pass. The gro
GERS were urged to write their mem
berS in the legislature te support these
measures.
The Commercial Bulletin and Il ORTIZ
west Trade, of Minneapolis, were
highly endorsed as desirable trade pa
perS
The report Of the committee on ar
bitration submitted by J. G. Robb, of
Minneapolis, and read by w. E. Davis.
related that only one case had arisen
during the year, requiring action, and
this was one from Minneapolis, in re-
gard to trading stamps. The report
approved the principle OF arbitration.
INJURIOUS TRADE ABUSE.
Geo. L. Dingman, of Minneapolis,
assistant state dairy and food commits
sioner, presented the report of the
committee on pure food. Hereviewed
the work that has been done &by the
department, and the good that has
been accomplished. He compared
Minnesota with Iowa. which has no
pure food law. He said that Commits
sioner Mcconnell is warm supporter
of the association.
John J. Thomson read an interest
ing report on trade abuse. The re-
port said, in brief: The most inJur-
iouS trade abuse is cutting prices. It's
influence upon the merchant is not
onlyiniuriouS to his bank accOunt,b but
the tendency is to cause him to cut
loose from the principles which.ought
to be and must be the foundation OF
success, honesty in all transactions.
The consumer is never greatly bene-
fitted, almost always not all all, when
dealing-w with the cutter, whetherIt be
for groceries, drugs or what not. The
temptation is TO put before the
customer inferior goods, which may
possibly be sold without the loss to
the merchant, which wGuld occur in
the case of standard qualities of com
modities. Organization has resulted
in relieving the situation of this evil
to large extent
Misleading advertising is ia
grant form Of trade The legitimate
sequence ofthis species of dishonesty
is to place Store-keeping @pon the
knaVisn basis. of the lottery.
Short weight packages is ocntempti-
bic trade abuse. The deception may be a
small one, but,it is a species Of robbery
that is intolerable. 'H'i ''' - ''' ~
The trading stamp craze is costly
trade abuse that cannot be too severely
condemned. Legislation should be
enacted against it.
Every merchant should oppose the
parcels post bill, as it is in the interest OF
the monopolies of she big cities.
The committee on resolutions presented
a partial report.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
Regret was expressed over the death OF
A. I. Hauge of Elbow Lake also over the
death of the wife of E. ]. Edgarton of
Anoka.
IT was recommended that the presi-
dents report be adopted and attention
WAS called to he efficient work he has
rendered to the association during the
past year.
Thanks we're expressed to the city and
travelling statesmen for the interest dis
PLAYED " them in the organization.
I. E Richart. of the Natures Break.
fast pod company. was remembered for
his ydrvices as deputy organizer: thanks
we also extended to the wholesale gro
cfs.
That as the watchdog" of our
treasury, Mr.. Chas. f. Rappe, has
filled the position SO faithfully